Little Egret, Stonington CT, 9/1/18

Little Egret, Stonington CT, 9/1/18.  This bird, the first officially in Connecticut, has been here for about 2 weeks.  It was first found in Rhode Island at Napatree Point, just across Little Narragansett Bay, and then seen first in CT by Nick B. et al.  C and S took boat with the remarkable Capt. Ian Devlin.  Watched Little Egret for about 45 minutes up close.  It was situated around the middle of the Stonington breakwater for the first half hour; then it moved to its habitual roosting spot, a protected niche in the rocks, where usually only its head could be seen.  The breakwater hosted about 500 DC Cormorants, 50-75 Snowy Egrets, and 15 Great Egrets.  Also around were a small group of Common Eider and assorted gulls.  Notice Little Egret's gray lores; longer, thicker (than Snowy's) black bill; long, stiff breast plumes; darker legs; and a few remaining plumes on crown.

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) 9/1/18, Stonington CT

Little Egret (Egret garzetta) with Snowy Egrets (Egret Thula), Stonington CT, 9/1/18

Little Egret (Egret garzetta) with Snowy Egrets (Egret Thula), Stonington CT, 9/1/18

Little Egret (Egret garzetta), Stonington CT, 9/1/18

Little Egret (Egret garzetta), Stonington CT, 9/1/18

Little Egret (Egret garzetta), Stonington CT, 9/1/18

Little Egret (Egret garzetta), Stonington CT, 9/1/18

Little Egret (Egret garzetta), Stonington CT, 9/1/18

Little Egret (Egret garzetta), Stonington CT, 9/1/18

Little Egret (Egret garzetta), Stonington CT, 9/1/18

Little Egret (Egret garzetta), with Great Egret (Ardea alba) Stonington CT, 9/1/18

Little Egret (Egret garzetta), Stonington CT, 9/1/18