Snowy Egret

Also, several Great Egrets dotted the estuary across Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge while four tiny prancers with golden boots (Snowy Egrets) herded their prey and a dozen semipalmated plovers sat on watching.

This particular heron is larger than a Snowy Egret, but a good deal smaller than a Great Blue Heron and it’s coloring is a comingling of lavender, blue-gray and white.

Adding to the backdrop, seven Great Egrets and two Great Blue Herons dotted the estuary while four tiny prancers with golden boots (Snowy Egrets) herded their prey.

Later that afternoon along one of the Spurwink River’s tidal dog-legs I spotted a slim, darkish colored heron that looked to be the same size as a Snowy Egret.

In the second week of October along the Spurwink Marsh I recorded seeing a Belted Kingfisher, a first of season Northern Harrier, a single Lesser Yellowlegs, eight Great Egrets, two Great Blue Herons and one Snowy Egret.

Lastly, on April 10 along a separate section of the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, I observed a male Belted Kingfisher, three Snowy Egrets and a single Tree Swallow.

Fortunately a Snowy Egret was close enough that I could compare and contrast the heron with the egret.

Upon closer inspection the bird appeared about the same size as a Snowy Egret but had a yellow bill and legs.

Additionally, on the morning of August 10 along the Sawyer Road stretch of the Spurwink River I noted five Great Egrets, seven Snowy Egrets and one Little Blue Heron.

And on September 8 along the Spurwink Marsh section of Sawyer Road I noted a single Belted Kingfisher, five Snowy Egrets, four Great Egrets and one Great Blue Heron.