Reviewing last weekend's emails about Cattle Egrets in Anne Arundel reminded 
me that I never posting my own Cattle Egret sighting from the previous 
weekend. 

I was birding Hughes Hollow starting at 7:50 on Saturday morning, June 29th.  
I was working down the main dike when I found what looked all the world like a 
Cattle Egret in a tree in the middle of the island in the large east 
impoundment.  I immediately noticed the small size relative to the several 
Great Egrets perched nearby.  It was about half as large.  I didn't have a 
scope, but I could make out the distinct yellow plumes on the bird's chest and 
light colored bill as it was facing towards me.  At that distance I couldn't get a 
great look at the bill or at the top of the head to look for more yellow without 
a scope.  After studying it for a while, I moved on.  I came back to it again a 
bit later (15 minutes) and watched as it shifted position so its back was 
towards me exposing more yellow on the center of its back before it took off, 
circled the impoundment twice to gain altitude, and flew south over the trees 
bordering the impoundment.  

Although I had never seen a Cattle Egret at Hughes Hollow before, I didn't 
think to post anything about it until seeing the Anne Arundel Cattle Egret 
discussion.  Sorry for not posting last weekend.

Max Wilson
Kensington, Montgomery County, MD
mercretas AT hotmail.com