I have never seen a Great Egret on the Long Island Sound this late in the year. The observations of bird populations over time leads to environmental awareness and is a signal of possible change.
Last Great Egret on Long Island Sound Summer 2011
November 22nd, 2011The Last Great Egret of Summer 2011
November 3rd, 2011
The Great Egrets around here fly in at low-tide to feed on the aquatic life of the mudflats. A few days later the Long Island Sound was hit with a snowy nor’ester, and no egrets have been seen since.
4 Great Egrets Heading South for Winter
October 27th, 2011
The Long Island Sound is a big summer range for the Great Egret. Around this time of year they start flying south to their all year round range (think Florida). I saw these four flying together, swoop in for a short break, and then take off to continue their migration journey.
Tropical Storm Irene’s Storm Surge in Branford Connecticut
October 17th, 2011
On August 28, 2011 Tropical Storm Irene slammed the Long Island Sound’s Connecticut north shore. I have been living here for 50 years and have never seen a storm surge like this. Thanks to my neighbor Vinnie for taking this amazing footage of the storm surge moving my front deck over to the side yard. I estimate the water was about 15 feet above the normal high tide level, well below the other side of the seawall seen here.
Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets and Cormorants Feeding Frenzy
October 12th, 2011
The blue fish run on the Sound this time of the year. When some baby blues swam close to the shore at low-tide, in swooped the egrets and cormorants for the dinner-time feed frenzy.
Great Egret Catches and Swallows Whole a Very Big Fish
October 6th, 2011
Leaning forward, neck extended, and a long yellow bill make catching fish easy for this white heron feeding in the low-tide mudflat.
Great Egret Walking in the Wind
September 30th, 2011The Great Egret is a large, stately, slender white heron with black legs and feet. When feeding as seen here, assumes as eager forward-leaning pose, neck extended.
Great Egret Catches and Swallows Whole a Fish
September 22nd, 2011
In contrast to the rushing about Snowy Egrets, the deliberate Great Egret when feeding assumes the forward-leaning pose to spot fish in the shallow water.
Snowy Egret and the “golden slippers”
September 16th, 2011
Nice footage of the Snowy Egret’s yellow feet and why this heron is called “golden slippers”. When feeding rushes about while catching fish, quite a contrast to the standing still Great Egret.
Snowy Egret Shakes a Leg for Fish
September 10th, 2011
A small white heron with a slender black bill and yellow feet. when feeding rushes about, shuffling feet to stir up fish.
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