White heron or egret at Deroche

[vavroom]

11:15 am, October 27. On the Mission side of the bridge at Deroche. Spotted a large white bird as I drove by. Was able to stop after the bridge and walk back. It flew away from me when I got close enough to see the top of it's head above the bushes. I didn't have a chance to see the legs or bill. Most definitely pure white. Most definitely heron or egret shaped. Neck retracted during flight.

[vavroom]

I was able to get back three hours later. Saw him again. I need to check ID markers against my photos (still need to process these), but I’m 90% sure it was a great egret.

The next question is what the heck was he doing there so far from his typical range?

[Jon]

Yeah, someone (else?) saw one there:
bcbirdalert.blogspot.com/p/vancouver-and-fraser-valley.html


They randomly show up further north than expected.

[Randy]

Oct 27, 2023 18:10:23 GMT -8 vavroom said:

I was able to get back three hours later. Saw him again. I need to check ID markers against my photos (still need to process these), but I’m 90% sure it was a great egret.

The next question is what the heck was he doing there so far from his typical range?

There was one at Hatzic Lake at almost the exact same time in 2019.

Very interesting and great find!!

[b1schmor]

Hi birders, the Great Egret is currently across from Sterling Road in Nicomen Slough. 10:30 am

Cheers,
Brent Schmor
Mission

[Chris]

Great find. I think the last one in our area was the one in Matsqui in October 2021.

[tysondanny]

Hi all,

The Great Egret was putting on a preening display this morning Oct 30 in a snag along the dyke, about 400 m west of the Deroche Bridge. No sign of the recently reported Mute Swan, but lots of nice Trumpeter’s.

Good Birding

Dan Tyson
Langley BC

[kenneth2019]

The Great Egret was still there, West of the Deroche bridge this afternoon. Seen from South and North side (Taylor Rd).

Great Egret Nicomen Slough by Kenneth Davis, on Flickr