White-faced heron nest

["Merrilyn Serong" <>]

I have been watching a white-faced heron's nest over the past month and
a half.  It was built in an old almost bare, dead-looking eucalypt.
Gradually over the weeks, lots of new lush healthy leaves have been
growing all around the nest, but no-where else on the tree.  It now
looks like there is a bush with a nest in it stuck in the tree.

Does anyone know if this is a normal thing, and why the leaves are
growing.  The only thing I can think of is that perhaps the tree is
infested with insects that eat all new growth, but the birds are getting
rid of the insects around the nest.  I can't look too closely at the
tree, because I don't want to disturb the chicks.

Merrilyn.