BITTERNS, HERONS, EGRETS

Great Egret  Ardea alba

WINTER:  Casual Visitant.  One on 03 December 2007 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA) and 15 December 2007 at Crab Creek, Mason Co., WV (WA, MG, DP); one present from 16 December 2005 (WA) through March 2006 at Crab Creek, Mason Co., WV; one present from 23 December (MG, DP) to 15 January 2007 at Crab Creek, Mason Co., WV; one present from 10 January through February 1998 at Crab Creek, Mason Co., WV (WA); one on 27 February 1976 at Ashton, Mason Co., WV (HS).

SUMMER:  Casual Visitant.  Most records are in July and August.  Only June record is one bird on 05 June 1971 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS).  See Remarks section for high counts.

MIGRATION:

 Spring:  Rare Visitant.  Usually seen from late March to late May.  Early dates, one on 13 March 2005 at Green Bottom WMA (PT); one on 15 March 2008 at Green Bottom WMA (WA, MG, MO, DP); one on 16 March 1987 at Crab Creek, Mason Co., WV (MG); two on 23 March 2010 at Crab Creek, Mason Co., WV (WA); one on 27 March 1971 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS) and 27 March 2004 at Green Bottom WMA (WA, JF, MG, CK, KK); three on 30 March 2002 at Powell Wetlands (adjacent to Green Bottom WMA) (WA).   See Remarks section for high counts.

 Fall:  Casual Visitant from early September to mid-November.  Late dates, one on 26 November 2007 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA); one on 18 November 2002 at Proctorville, Lawrence Co., OH (HS) and 2006 at Crab Creek, Mason Co., WV (WA, DP); one on 14 November 1983 at Crab Creek, Mason Co., WV (HS); one on 12 November 2005 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA, MG, DP). See Remarks section for high counts.

REMARKS:

Summer High Counts:  14 on 30 July 2005 (11 at Green Bottom WMA, 2 at Crab Creek, Mason Co., WV, 1 at Byrd Locks & Dam) (WA, MG DP); 13 on 26 July 2008 at Green Bottom WMA (MG); 9 on 28 July 2005 (7 at Green Bottom WMA, 2 at Byrd Locks & Dam) (JB, MG); 9 on 28 July and 06 August 2005 at Green Bottom WMA (JB, MG, DP, RT); 8 on 15 August 2004 at Green Bottom WMA (WA, JB, MG, MO).

Spring High Counts:  22 (20 at Green Bottom WMA and 2 at McClintic WMA) on 10 April 2004 (WA, MG, DP); 9 (6 at Crab Creek, Mason Co., WV and 3 at Green Bottom WMA) on 06 April 2002 (WA, MG); 9 on 11 April 2004 at Green Bottom WMA (GR); 8 on 14 April 1989 at Beech Fork Lake (MG); 8 on 19 April 1997 at Green Bottom WMA (WA, KP, HS). 

Fall High Counts:  16 on 24 September 1988 at Green Bottom WMA (MG); 10 on 04 September 2004 (MG, DP) and 16 October 2004 (PS) at Green Bottom WMA; 7 on 03 September 2004 at Green Bottom WMA (JB); 5 on 07 October 1995 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA) and 12 October 2005 at Gallipolis, Gallia Co., OH (MG, HS); 4 on 09 September 2000 at Green Bottom WMA (WA) and 31 October 2002 in Cabell Co. (OH River Mile 296), WV (HS).