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 12 December 2010 (MG, DP) to 02 February 2011 (WA)  at Crab Creek, Mason Co., WV; 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.  Two June records.  One on 05 June 1971 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); one on 06 June 2011 at Green Bottom WMA (DP).  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); one on 19 March 2011 at Green Bottom WMA (WA, 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) and one on 26 November at Byrd Locks & Dam (GR); 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); and one on 14 November 2010 at Byrd Locks & Dam (DP); 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).