An aid to identifying the 4 larger egrets in Australia and other threads.

["Mike Carter" <>]

On the contrary, Peter, the gape line does extend beyond the eye in the 
second referenced ABID photo. Its just that in this shot it appears very 
narrow because the camera was above the bird allowing the cheek feathering 
to almost obscure it. A lovely shot.
I used that feature today to confirm the ID of a Great Egret while surveying 
a wetland.
Incidentally, Black Swans are already nesting here SE of Melbourne, a little 
early. One Swan not seen previously at this site (38deg05min07secS 
145deg09min36secE) had a neck band numbered P07 in case the b. who did it is 
interested. I don't know how people can complain about birders disrupting 
birds and not condemn much more serious invasive acts like this. I agree 
with Ian May. Theirs is justified in the name of science. When the Swan 
study is written up, to which this twitcher has just contributed, I'm sure 
that will delight Stephen Debus.
Mike Carter
30 Canadian Bay Road
Mount Eliza  VIC 3930
Tel  (03) 9787 7136