Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns (11 )

Photo: Carol Cassels
Tricolored Heron *
A common permanent resident of water bodies. Rarely more than a dozen tri-colored are found at a single locations. Like most herons,they are a colonial nester. The Circle B Bar reserve is a good spot to observe most of our waders. A high count of 40 was noted in early July 1998. The LCBC high count of 181 was in 2002 and 145 in 1997. (SSC)

Photo: Herman
Little Blue Heron *
A common permanent resident of water bodies. Generally fewer numbers are found of these birds than the other waders. However, dozens can be found at a single roost. They are colonial nester. The high count of 44 was registered in early December 1996. The LCBC high count of 222 was in 1997. (SSC)

Reddish Egret
This species is very rarely found inland, but on July 27, 2003 an immature bird was found at the 4-Corners mine. A second record was from Colt Creek State Park on 17 July 2010.

Photo: R Munguia

Snowy Egret *
A common permanent resident of the water bodies. At times hundreds of birds are present at a single location. It is a colonial nester. A high count of 505 was recorded in early July 1995. The LCBC high count of 920 was in 1997. (SSC)

Photo: R Mungiua
Great Blue Heron *
A common permanent resident of our water bodies. Large numbers herons and egrets are found feeding at fish kills. Hundreds of birds are present at those events. Great blues are usually solitary nester not colonial. A high count of 136 was noted in early December 1996. The LCBC high count of 447 was in 1986.

Photo: C L Geanangel
Great Egret *
A common permanent resident of our lakes and pits. At times over 300 birds can be found in a single location. They are colonial nester. A high count of 490 was reached in early July 1998. The LCBC high count of 3,456 was in 1981.

Cattle Egret *
A common permanent resident found mostly in fields, along highways and in landfills. At times many hundreds can be found at a single location. They are a colonial nester. A high count of 1,000 was estimated in early May 1995. The LCBC high count of 4,557 was in 1986.

Photo: N March

Green Heron *
Common permanent resident of the local water bodies. They are more common in winter when a dozen can be found at a single location. A high count of 15 was seen in late July 1995. The LCBC high count of 53 was in 1995 and 2004.

Photo: N March
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron *
A rare summer visitor from the coast that nests directly above small streams and in swamps of Polk County. There are many summer records at SCP.

Black-crowned Night-Heron *
An uncommon permanent resident usually found at day roosts. A couple dozen at a time can be seen there. A high count of 30 was recorded in late November 1998. The LCBC high count of 165 was in 1984.

Least Bittern *
A secretive permanent resident found in the cattails of the lakes and pits of the county. Summer counts of a dozen are possible. They are mostly identified by call. The high count of 14 was in early July 1995. The LCBC high count of 12 was in 1991.

Photo: N March
American Bittern
An uncommon winter visitor of wetlands and PPM found from October to April. On May 27, 2007 one was seen south of Winter Haven flying to the north. Some winters they are almost common at the Circle B Bar reserve near Lakeland. The LCBC high count of 19 was in 2002.

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