[Maine-birds] Re: LITTLE EGRET - Gilsland Farm, 6/8

My earlier post was from my phone so it was relatively short and contained a typo(5:25PM not 6:25PM). Here is more info. 

Photos are located here 

Little egret was spotted in the marsh area off Presumpscot Street. If you turn between Richard P. Waltz and St. Lawrence Cement you will see the radio tower directly at the end of that driveway. You can pull in there and walk around behind the tower for a view of that marsh. Not sure if there are other vantage points that are safe(stopping on 295 in that area is Seriously not recommended). 

First sighted at 5PM and watched until 5:25PM when it took off towards Back Bay. (Located by Noah). Vantage point was about 600' from where it was foraging at the edge of grass. The first thing that struck me was that it did not have nearly the yellow on the lores that a Snowy has, but other than that, had I not know this was different, behaviors would not have convinced me this was anything other than a Snowy. Close inspection with the help of the wind, allowed me to see the long plumes on its head. Feathers on the back had an almost hairlike quality. There was one moment where I think something might have been going after its feet as it frantically hopped up and down eventually flying to a new spot about 15-20' away. While it spread its wings, I detected what was either a shadow or a slight staining on the back and wings that was similar in color(but lighter) to a cattle egret. It worked the edge of the marsh around from the south side to about halfway up the east side(below the highway) and eventually flew off at 5:25PM. 

It was interesting and as always thanks to those who spotted these rare birds first(in this case Doug). These opportunities are invaluable for me on getting to know the more subtle differences in some of these species. It makes me wonder how many of those birds I have just said "Bah, just another Snowy" have actually been a Little Egret... (See Birding Lesson 726 :-) )

Good luck to everyone else trying to see it! 

On Monday, June 8, 2015 at 4:24:59 PM UTC-4, Doug Hitchcox wrote:

There is a LITTLE EGRET foraging in the same panne as a White-faced Ibis in the marsh off the south end of the West Meadow at Gilsland Farm in Falmouth.

If anyone has Frank Pauls number, please call him. He was just here.

Good birding,


Doug Hitchcox

Sent from my iPhone

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