Sorry no photographs for this one I accidentally deleted them from my camera
Since my last visit to the WSR on the 26th, the Purple Heron
was spotted at the WSR on the 28th by Dr. John Webster at 6:46am. That morning’s sighting prompted me to plan an
early morning visit. I arrived at the
swamp at 6:30am, sunrise was forecasted for 6:25am. It was a quiet morning. Many of the birds were busy wading and feeding. A family of thirteen Black-bellied Ducks was
leaving their customary east tray and gradually made their way to the north – west
tray. Ten Blue-wing Teals and an
American Wigeon were also in the north tray. (The Wigeon was my first for the
year). In the south – west tray, there was
a Great Egret, a Little Blue Heron and two Common Gallinules. A Snowy Egret, a Little Blue Heron and a few
shorebirds were wading just in front of the observation hut. Meanwhile Cattle Egrets were busy flying
overhead to and from the rookery. At
7:15am I took a look at the back swamp where most of the Herons and Egrets
roost. It was empty with just two Green
Herons flying around. I then concluded
that I had arrived too late and the Heron had already flown the coop.
I spent an hour at the WSR, leaving at 7:30am, I saw 20
species; one was a first for the year but no lifers and no Purple Heron. My guess is that I got to Woodbourne too late
and missed the bird. For my next attempt
I will strive to arrive before sunrise.
The search for the Ardea purpurea continues…
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