Bluffers Park - Great Egret 6/13/11

[Whittam]

The Great Egret I reported last week is still in the ponds at the western end of Bluffers Park Scarboro.  There are also some very noisy Mockingbirds singing in the area.  They are mimicking everything from Willow flycatchers to Blue-jays!   Cheers Terry

[amack1163]

Thanks Whittam for this tip. Was at Bluffers Park on Fathers Day (this Sunday past) and caught this wonderful creature just where you said he'd be. I was also there that Friday and noticed what I believe to be American Bitterns in that very spot (small island in the middle of the marsh), 5 in all. Visited again yesterday and they were still there. You can see photos on flickr here http://www.flickr.com/photos/64018347@N02/

[Reuven_M]

Those brown stripey ones are juvenile black-crowned night-herons.

[Whittam]

Hi Andrew,  I'm pretty sure the smaller brown heron is a female or immature Black-crowned night heron.  I've seen the male nearby a few times and they like to perch in the trees closer to the base of the bluffs.  That big red eye says Black-crowned night heron to me!  You captured it well. Nice shots of the Egret!   Cheers Terry

[amack1163]

Thank you guys kindly for IDing that heron. I'm just a rookie but knew that the red eye didn't fit but the rest of the bird was much like the American Bittern. A quick lookup after your posts confirmed the juvenile herons specifically pointing to the spots on the wings. I'm glad I now know what this bird really is. Will be posting a few better shots on my Flickr page. THANKS AGAIN!!

[amack1163]

I was back at Bluffers Park yesterday just after 5:00PM and the Great Egret was still there. As well both adult male and female Night Herons were out and about (my first time seeing them) as well as one juvenile which is getting a little more white spots. Also saw Belted Kingfishers, Baltimore Oriole, Cardinal, the usual Malards, Gulls, Black Birds, and Canada Geese.