Hi Ontbirders, This morning from 0629 to 0643, I observed four Great Egrets roosting on the mudflats/shallow water on the north side of a grassy island in the Hespeler Millpond just out from the Ellacott Lookout (235 Queen St.) . One of the egrets had a green tag on each wing but I could not read the characters on the wing with binoculars only. If someone with a scope could visit that location this evening between 635 and 735 PM (sunset), I suspect the egret will be there again......and you may be able to read the tag number. Characters on the wing-tag are in the form number-number-letter, e.g. 27G.
At 0643 all four egrets left the roost site and flew about 300m to the east where they began foraging in shallow water at the west end of a larger treed island...they egrets may stay around that area all day. They are very visible at this location. If anyone could read the tag characters and send them to me, I'd be very appreciative. :-) Directions: From Hwy 401 at Cambridge, go north on Hespeler Rd (Exit 282) and go right on Queen St. Go through town to 235 Queen Street. There is a sign identifying that loaction as the Ellacott Lookout, it is on your left. Park in the small parking lot. Survey the water area from the top of the river bank in the constructed viewing area provided or take the steps down to the river shore and survey from there. There is a rough shoreline trail that goes to the right and to the left...walking it in either direction, but especially to the right, also gives good viewing opportunities of the egret-use areas. Thanks, Chip Weseloh _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to birdalert@ontbirds.ca For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
