All,
Here are some observations posted earlier to VAbird. Thought perhaps folks
in MD might be interested as well. The mystery Egret was observed 3 out of 5
trips I made during the week to the Wildlife loop at Chincoteague. The bird
was seen near the intersection of Black Duck Trail and the wildlife loop.
Usually feeding in the drainage ditch or channels on either side of the road
and/or out in the mostly dry up lake bed. The first two times the bird was
seen in morning around 10 am to 1:00 but was also seen at this location on
Thursday afternoon fairly late 3-5ish.
>I was able to observe the mystery Egret at close range on two occassions
>and somewhat longer range on one occassion this later observation had the
>bird side by side with Greater and Snowy Egrets.
>The following observations were noted:
>
>1. Bill - Upper mandible is all black--- lower mandible is black at the
>tip and back about 1/3 and the rest of lower mandible is a yellow pea
>greenish color. This coloration is brightest on the bottom of the lower
>mandible from the base to about the half way point on lower mandible. From
>the side the lower mandible's yellow-greenish color is bifurcated by a thin
>greyish blackish line giving the false impression from a further distance
>of both mandibles cutting ((articulated) not sure what the right word is
>there.... )edges being yellowish. This puzzled me until bird was observed
>at much closer range today. Bill shape was similar to other Great Egrets
>especially as regards lower mandible shape and how it angles up near the
>base
>
>
>2. Lores and bare facial parts were a dark greenish olive lead grey color.
>This coloration continues behind the eye and cuts downward at a slight
>angle. I did not notice this area i.e. the line behind the eye as being
>as long or as distinct on other Great Egrets. The color of the lores is
>much muchdarker than other Great Egrets at Chincoteague. The other Great
>Egrets sported lores that were a fairly bright lime green color.
>
>3. Plumes on Mystery Egret were shorter than on Great Egret standing right
>beside Mystery E.
>color of plumes very similar to color on head of Cattle egret in breeding
>plumage but not as bright...
>
>4. Size: Comparred side by side with another Great Egret this bird appeared
>slightly smaller but very slightly. Depending on neck position/posture
>either bird could be taller. So I looked at body height and comparing body
>height at shoulder the mystery Egret appeared a tad shorter. This
>difference is very slight and very iffy but still I thought there was a
>very slight difference. On Saturday unable to relocate the mystery Egret I
>tried sizing up two other Great Egrets both with Yellow bills to see what
>sort of variation might exist between Great Egrets and thought that one
>bird was slightly larger then the next by about the same degree as noted
>between the mystery Egret and the Great Egret observed during the
>observation which allowed for size comparison. In other words the size
>variation might just be between two individuals not between two different
>species.
>5. Legs - feathering on legs was white at base but turned the to same color
>as plumes described above where feathering meets dark legs. Legs themselves
>were very dark but there did appear that there might have been some
>greenish yellowish spotting on them as seen in scope from about 20 feet.
>Most views I could see none of this and am still uncertain as to whether I
>really was seeing anything there or not.
>
>6. Behavior- bird was a slow moving and hunting from a stand still
>position. No mad cavorting movements or dancing as in Redish Egret.
>
>I took lots of pictures through a Swarvoski scope and a kodak easyshare.
>Some of the pics may come out okay but probably not as good as pics already
>posted. However, several of the photos do show the yellowish green on
>lower mandible. I did take pics of plumes and legs and face. Another couple
>from Indiana got excellent photos with a high end camera and they said they
>would send them on to somebody in VA but I didn't catch the name.
>
>I can send pics to anyone who is interested >
>Also seen here over the last few days were 4 -5 Wilson Phaloropes , 4-6
>Black-necked Stilts
>and 1 Saltmash Sharptail Sparrow which was a lifer for me.
>
>
>
>William Leigh
Bridgewater VA
>
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