View Great Blue Herons Nesting Thanks to Off-Grid Wildlife Cameras

In the scenic region of Fidalgo Island on March Point, lies the March Point Heronry, a critical breeding site for the majestic Great Blue Herons. This heronry is the largest on the West Coast, housing over 700 nests and playing a vital role in the Salish Sea region’s ecosystem. To monitor and study the behavior of these magnificent birds Skagit Land Trust, has implemented a state-of-the-art wildlife camera system, with the help of Fire Mountain Solar. 

In 2006, in cooperation with Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Preserve and the Leadership Skagit “Heron Team,” Skagit Land Trust, established the first wildlife camera in the heronry. This camera provided a unique “birds-eye” view of the nesting behavior during the months when the heronry was occupied. Unfortunately, the single camera stopped working in 2014, leading to the need for an upgraded system. 

Thanks to the support of Trust members, local businesses, and regional foundations, a new and improved camera system was installed in 2022. This upgraded camera system features three battery-operated motion sensor wildlife cameras, which provide comprehensive coverage of the heronry. This off-grid system allows for remote video and audio monitoring and ensures uninterrupted surveillance of the heronry. 

To ensure a dependable power source for the cameras, the Skagit Land Trust relied on the expertise of Fire Mountain Solar to design and install a 3.24 kW off-grid solar system. Specifically chosen for the outdoor environment, which can only be reached by a challenging and remote footpath, the equipment had to deliver both outstanding performance and reliability. The power system includes 9 Silfab Solar 360NX watt solar panels and Centennial 400AH AGM maintenance-free batteries. The solar panels are mounted on a ProSolar Ground Mount system, and the batteries are charged using an Outback FM80 charge controller. This carefully selected equipment ensures the necessary reliability and performance for an outdoor application in a remote location and is accompanied by an exceptional warranty. 

One of our favorite things about specializing in off grid power systems is the opportunity to work on unique and meaningful projects such as this. The nesting season for herons spans from early March to late July. To witness this exceptional experience, you can access the camera feed on the website of the March Point Heronry by clicking below.