The Intermediate Egret - breeding colours - and rarities list question

[Julian Robinson <>]

I reckon the Intermediate Egret currently at Kellys is the same bird as
visited last October.  It's occupying exactly the same part of the
swamp and making the same feeding runs, one of which is right in front of
Bittern hide.  The two visits show nicely the differences that occur
with breeding colours. Two pics taken in October (top) and January (last
Friday)...

In the October pic the bill is just starting to colour up.

As usual I took plenty of photos, a few that show the filamentous veil in
various stages of erectness are posted ...
 http://www.flickr.com/photos/ozjulian/3164263937/
 http://www.flickr.com/photos/ozjulian/3165097244/
 http://www.flickr.com/photos/ozjulian/3165097696/

Also the October photo shows that the plumes were already spectacular but
not as long ...
 http://www.flickr.com/photos/ozjulian/2948923094

Thanks to Frank for pointing out the current visit.  Are Int Egrets
still on the rarities list?   I'm wondering if I've missed the
publishing of the updated list.

PS While we were there, 13 White Ibises occupied the Spoonbill nest
tree.  Despite a lack of space and much jostling for position they
never threatened or took space from the Spoonbills.  The low left
nest had two chicks and no adults but the Spoonbill chicks weren't
concerned and the Ibises never went too close.
Julian