This
morning (Fri 24 Mar) David Wimpress (UK), Paul Johnstone (Sydney) and I had extended
close views of a white egret feeding in the shallows of Port Phillip Bay approx
½ - 1 km north of the Beach Rd boat ramp at the WTP. This bird was of small-medium
size, with no plumes, a heavy bill with a dark (not black) upper mandible with
a yellowish base and a yellowish lower mandible, thickish grey legs and
yellowish soles. The gape-line did not extend behind the eye. It was feeding in
shallow water in a manner mid-way between the typical measured approach of
Great Egret and the brisk, flighty manner of Little Egret.
The
three of us felt very confident that this was not a Great Egret, did not
believe it to be a Little Egret, and the bill colouration should exclude
Intermediate Egret. It was certainly not a Cattle Egret.
I am very
mindful that no Eastern Reef Egret was reported from southern Victoria during either
of the Australian Atlases, although there were records from both the far eastern
and far western Victorian (? eastern SA) coasts. However, the Atlas of
Victorian Birds (Emison et al, 1987) reported a sighting at Wilson’s Promontory on 19 April 1976
(coincidentally my 30th birthday!).
While,
in spite of the above, I think this bird was quite possibly an Eastern Reef
Egret (that was certainly my initial, spontaneous ID based on its jizz,
particularly the heavy bill and thick grey legs) checking my references at home
raises the possibility of a juvenile Little Egret in terms of colour of the bill
and soft parts – although none of us felt that the body/bill/leg shape
and structure were consistent with Little Egret.
Perhaps
anyone visiting the WTP over the next few days could check this area for this
Egret, and report their impressions (if they find a bird fitting this
description) to Birding-Aus and/or me.
Richard NOWOTNY
Port Melbourne,
Victoria
M: 0438 224456
