[Birdnet] Reddish Egret, Painted Bunting Continue

[Tim Avery]

The REDDISH EGRET was still present at Fish Springs just to the south of the
rookery in Avocet Unit.  The bird was not seen until nearly 6:00pm tonight and
was about 300~ yards out from the dike. I arrived at 2:30 and drove by
occasionally checking to see if the bird was there, whilst birding the rest of
the refuge.

One terribly blurry and distant shot
http://timaverybirding.com/photos/aug07/reeg_01.jpg

The Painted Bunting was seen at 4:15pm and again at 5:20pm feeding low in the
trees along the ditch on the west side of the picnic area.

2 Solitary Sandpiper were seen around the refuge, amongst around 23 Spotted
Sandpiper. Other shorebirds included Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Wilson's
Phalarope, Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet and Killdeer.

Solitary Sandpiper
http://timaverybirding.com/photos/aug07/sosa_01.jpg

There were also at least 2 Black and one Forster's Tern feeding in the east end
of Avocet Unit.

Black Tern
http://timaverybirding.com/photos/aug07/blte_01.jpg

As for the thought that the bird may be a Little Blue Heron, the bird I saw
today was definitely a REDDISH EGRET.  The bird had a pale based bill, and dark
legs and appeared to be in non-breeding plumage.  I have seen one of Jack's
pictures, and although the bird looks "strange", the angle is hard to get a
good grasp on the head color and bill.  The legs are definitely dark which
points towards REEG.  Any other pictures of the bird that anyone has taken
would be helpful to see, and I am willing to post them on my site for other to
see for the time being.

Good Birding

Tim
Salt Lake City, UT
tanager at timaverybirding.com
http://www.timaverybirding.com