[obol] Great Egrets numbers--wow!

[Alan Contreras]

My impression is that the egret movement is just that - a movement.  There are scores around Florence in midsummer, but these mostly disappear when numbers peak at Fern Ridge.  Then they seem to spread out into the valley - maybe also down the Columbia - looking for places where they can eat well.  

By October, there are only a few around Florence, and few winter there.  They are in the valley mudholes, some of which are far better habitat than they were 20 years ago.  Why leave a vast fish-feeder if you don't have to?

Right now, the best eating is in the very shallow drying holes in the north valley, because Fern Ridge is still almost at peak pool.  As Fern Ridge drains it will get more egrets back, assuming that we eventually get enough rain to fill the mudholes again.;



Alan Contreras - Eugene, Oregon