The life of a heron chick is perilous and their percentage for survival is not high. If five eggs hatch, it is likely three or more chicks will die. Some chicks die from exposure if the weather is poor; some are attacked by siblings. A sizeable number of chicks are eaten by Bald Eagles. Adult herons respond to Bald Eagle attacks with thunderous cries of alarm and mass flights. Though impressive to human observers, these displays are completely ignored by eagles.

A large number of young herons fall to their deaths. Flimsy nests in constantly moving tall treetops--already dangerous places to live--become increasingly crowded as chicks grow. Young birds perched on wobbly branches outside the nest can lose their balance. Siblings rush to meet returning parents, jostling each other in the process. Gusts of wind catch flapping chicks by surprise.

Henry is from the period of the original park heronry and one of the few heron chicks to survive falling from a nest. Most chicks either die on impact or quickly starve because heron parents do not feed chicks out of their nests. When Henry fell uninjured in the early 1990's, he was fed by nearby apartment dwellers. Now between ten and fourteen years old, he rushes to meet those who regularly bring him fish. He reportedly likes plain water sardines but rejects sardines packed in mustard or tomato sauce. Though other herons depart by the end of summer,“Henry” remains in the Park year-round. Henry’s usual location is at the northwest edge of Goodacre Lake.

The Beacon Hill Park heron colony began with a single nest in 1982. In 2003, there were 99 active nests with 75 young birds successfully fledged. In 2004, there were 96 active nests, with 60 young birds successfully fledged. In 2007, a bald eagle terrorized the heronry -- eating an estimated 39 chicks and more than 185 eggs from nests -- until the herons abandoned the area for nesting. The Beacon Hill Park heron colony was abandoned in May, 2007, in 2010 four nesting birds returned to the park and chose a new nesting site, bringing hope for the re-establishment of the heronry. ~ Beacon Hill Park History and the Times Colonist

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