Lost White Egret!!!

DoctorIt

Yesterday I was strolling back from class when I noticed a strange white bird in our campus pond. I got closer and probably let an expletive fly as I realized it was one a wader (didn't know what it was at the time). I was extremely upset with myself for not having a camera. I figured the chances of it being there today were slim to none, migratory season, right? So I noted its legs and beak to ID at home.

Actually pretty easy to ID, white heron and white egret look almost the same from the legs up, but the leg color gives it away. Black legs = white egret. Ok, I ID'ed it, now flip to the back of the book and I'm rather confused to see that the white egret ranges only to the very southernmost parts of New England. And in the fall no less!

I went back this morning and he was still there, which actually makes me wonder if he's ok. He posed for me for a while, chased a few ducks, lots of people took notice of him too.



So if any of you bird lovers know more than me, I'd love to hear it. I really hope he's not lost or somehow hurt, because by my short research, he really doesn't belong here. Hopefully I'm wrong.

Harryb

DoctorIt wrote:

Yesterday I was strolling back from class when I noticed a strange white bird in our campus pond. I got closer and probably let an expletive fly as I realized it was one a wader (didn't know what it was at the time). I was extremely upset with myself for not having a camera. I figured the chances of it being there today were slim to none, migratory season, right? So I noted its legs and beak to ID at home.

Actually pretty easy to ID, white heron and white egret look almost the same from the legs up, but the leg color gives it away. Black legs = white egret. Ok, I ID'ed it, now flip to the back of the book and I'm rather confused to see that the white egret ranges only to the very southernmost parts of New England. And in the fall no less!

I went back this morning and he was still there, which actually makes me wonder if he's ok. He posed for me for a while, chased a few ducks, lots of people took notice of him too.



So if any of you bird lovers know more than me, I'd love to hear it. I really hope he's not lost or somehow hurt, because by my short research, he really doesn't belong here. Hopefully I'm wrong.

Good shot Erik. I'm guessing that he wandered out of his normal range a tad. He's probably hanging around because he has found food and will stay around for a bit until the food supply runs out.

Osprey Whisperer

Beautiful birds...these great egrets. Nice capture Erik.

**in best Eastern/Bostonian accent**

Ya take dis burd to the bah for a beeya and a hand of cods.......then put him in ya cah and drive him fah fah away. You could hop on your haws and ride 'em bahya back to Flawidha.

Cheers

MM

DoctorIt

Harryb wrote:

Good shot Erik. I'm guessing that he wandered out of his normal range a tad. He's probably hanging around because he has found food and will stay around for a bit until the food supply runs out.

Hope so. Doesn't seem hurt, or strange - he was giving the ducks a good chase, short flights. The pond is real small, so I can't imagine he's eating too well in there. I'll keep an eye on him.

BTW, is he a white or great egret? I just saw your thread on reflections and saw many of the same bird that you referred to as great egrets.

Harryb

DoctorIt wrote:

Hope so. Doesn't seem hurt, or strange - he was giving the ducks a good chase, short flights. The pond is real small, so I can't imagine he's eating too well in there. I'll keep an eye on him.

BTW, is he a white or great egret? I just saw your thread on reflections and saw many of the same bird that you referred to as great egrets.

The official name for the great white egret is the Great Egret (or so say my bird guides). Seems strange since you have The Great Blue Heron but what can I say.

DoctorIt

Harryb wrote:

The official name for the great white egret is the Great Egret (or so say my bird guides). Seems strange since you have The Great Blue Heron but what can I say.

Thanks

that is in fact what my Audobon book said, I had just forgotten when I posted. i was mainly fixated on the differentiation between the Great White Egret and the White Heron. (is he great too? )

DavidTO

Harryb wrote:

The official name for the great white egret is the Great Egret (or so say my bird guides). Seems strange since you have The Great Blue Heron but what can I say.

I would guess that for the people who named the bird, white was assumed.

Harryb

DoctorIt wrote:

Thanks

that is in fact what my Audobon book said, I had just forgotten when I posted. i was mainly fixated on the differentiation between the Great White Egret and the White Heron. (is he great too? )

Actually yes as he is a morph of the Great Blue Heron.

ginger_55

Erik, I have a great bird book called Birds of the Carolinas, same as the really good other books, except for it is birds expected to see in the Carolinas.

I am going to have to spring for a book called birds of the WORLD pretty soon, I am getting birds that I only know of because Harry or Ben have had them.

Maybe we will get a flamingo next. Though I have never seen a wild one outside of Florida, with this Global warming, who knows.

Good capture.

ginger (What white Heron?)

Steve Cavigliano

Very nice shot Doc Nice to see you shooting egrets....lol Like you, I hope there's nothing wrong with this beauty. Maybe he was just sick and tired of dodging hurricanes I saw quite a few in upstate NY a few months ago, so seeing them where you are, while rare, shouldn't be too surprising.


So are you taking your camera to school everyday now?


Steve

DoctorIt

Steve Cavigliano wrote:

Very nice shot Doc Nice to see you shooting egrets....lol Like you, I hope there's nothing wrong with this beauty. Maybe he was just sick and tired of dodging hurricanes I saw quite a few in upstate NY a few months ago, so seeing them where you are, while rare, shouldn't be too surprising.


So are you taking your camera to school everyday now?

Actually, Steve, you've found me out. I paid a hefty sum to get this guy up here so I join the cool kids in the egret club.

Murphy's law, one day I forget my camera was the day I saw something really worthwhile to shoot. Luckily, my hefty sum was enough to keep him here that extra day.

Andy

Harryb wrote:

He's probably hanging around because he has found food and will stay around for a bit until the food supply runs out.

this is why i stay in new york. you're telling me that they're gonna run out of food supply :yikes

eric, good catch man!

DoctorIt

Update: my big white friend is still on campus as of friday afternoon. He was on the other side of the pond this time - away from where the ducks usually hang out.

Hope to go back with my good glass today to get some up close and personal shots.