[mou] Sherburne Refuge ID Puzzle (heron)
Pastor Al Schirmacher
PastorAl@PrincetonFreeChurch.net
Thu, 28 Jul 2005 09:32:28 -0500
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Have an ID puzzle from this morning, let me share the series of =
observations:
1) Twice in the last couple of weeks have observed a medium sized heron =
in the distance on the Sherburne NWR Auto Tour, chunkier & Larger than a =
Green Heron, much smaller than a Great Blue - however, the observations =
were short in duration - concluded that it was probably an American =
Bittern. These observations may or may not be pertinent to today's.
2) This morning noticed a similar sized heron flying slowly from right =
to left at distances of 400-800 yards, west of Big Bluestem pond. =
Initial eyes only observation was larger than a Green Heron, dark & =
distant (there were other GHs flying throughout the Auto Tour for mental =
comparison).
3) Watched it fly through my 10x50 binoculars for about 1/3 of the =
horizon, only additional detail was that it was probably dark blue or =
bluish/dark gray (not light) in color.
4) Pulled the scope out of the back of my van, and watched it (from 20X =
to 60X) at a distance of 600-800 yards as it completed its flight into =
the tree line. The dark blue seemed to be consistent across its body =
(top & bottom), its legs were yellowish and seemed to stick farther out =
than a Green Heron, the neck was curved in, and there were no obvious =
head markings or breast streaking (that could be perceived at this =
distance).
In the field, ruled out American Bittern due to coloration and lack of =
"long-headedness". Have much experience with Black-crowned Night Herons =
at Horicon Marsh in WI, not a match for either adults (black cap & back) =
or juveniles (streaking or light grey/white on breast & abdomen). Head =
markings did not match an adult YC Night Heron, although I suppose a =
juvenile is a possibility (did not note the streaking or scaliness) - I =
have no field experience with this bird to compare. It appeared too =
small for a juvenile Green Heron, and leg color is wrong for an adult. =
I hesitate (but would love) to call it an adult Little Blue, especially =
since leg color could be a consideration (do yellow and green look =
substantially different at 600-800 yards in a scope?) - do have some =
field experience with this bird, although not flying. However, the time =
of year for a wandering LBH seems appropriate.
Thoughts? Help!
Al Schirmacher
Princeton, MN
Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties
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<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Have an ID puzzle from this morning, =
let me share=20
the series of observations:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>1) Twice in the last couple of weeks =
have observed=20
a medium sized heron in the distance on the Sherburne NWR Auto Tour, =
chunkier=20
& Larger than a Green Heron, much smaller than a Great Blue - =
however,=20
the observations were short in duration - concluded that it =
was=20
probably an American Bittern. These observations may or may not be =
pertinent to today's.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>2) This morning noticed a similar sized =
heron=20
flying slowly from right to left at distances of 400-800 yards, west of =
Big=20
Bluestem pond. Initial eyes only observation was larger than a =
Green=20
Heron, dark & distant (there were other GHs flying throughout the =
Auto Tour=20
for mental comparison).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>3) Watched it fly through my 10x50 =
binoculars for=20
about 1/3 of the horizon, only additional detail was that it =
was=20
probably dark blue or bluish/dark gray (not light) in =
color.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>4) Pulled the scope out of the back of =
my van, and=20
watched it (from 20X to 60X) at a distance of 600-800 yards as it =
completed its=20
flight into the tree line. The dark blue seemed to be consistent =
across=20
its body (top & bottom), its legs were yellowish and seemed to stick =
farther=20
out than a Green Heron, the neck was curved in, and there were no =
obvious head=20
markings or breast streaking (that could be perceived at this=20
distance).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>In the field, ruled out American =
Bittern due to=20
coloration and lack of "long-headedness". Have much experience =
with=20
Black-crowned Night Herons at Horicon Marsh in WI, not a match for =
either adults=20
(black cap & back) or juveniles (streaking or light grey/white on =
breast=20
& abdomen). Head markings did not match an adult YC Night =
Heron,=20
although I suppose a juvenile is a possibility (did not note the =
streaking or=20
scaliness) - I have no field experience with this bird to compare. =
It=20
appeared too small for a juvenile Green Heron, and leg color is wrong =
for an=20
adult. I hesitate (but would love) to call it an adult Little =
Blue,=20
especially since leg color could be a consideration (do yellow and green =
look=20
substantially different at 600-800 yards in a scope?) - do have some =
field=20
experience with this bird, although not flying. However, the time =
of year=20
for a wandering LBH seems appropriate.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Thoughts? Help!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Al Schirmacher</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Princeton, MN</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Mille Lacs & Sherburne=20
Counties</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>
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