Great Egret
Casmerodius albus
Synopsis:
Nests colonially at a few locations in marshes surrounding the
large lakes of Harney, Lake, and Klamath Counties. Recently
established as a breeder in Coos Bay, nested in 1998 at Ridgefield National
Wildlife Refuge, just across the Columbia River.
Widespread late spring (and very early fall) migrant throughout the state,
accounting for many Possible records in areas where
breeding does not occur. Most notable are the records from southwestern and
northern Oregon (Possibles).
Habitat Associations:
strongest
Coastal Dunes & Ponds with Widely Scattered Shrubs/Trees (22525 acres)
Lake/Pond Shoreline & Islands (338014 acres)
Edges of Freshwater Marsh (14693 acres)
some
Seasonally Wet Playa (39185 acres)
Relative Detectability:
Easily seen, but some colonies may be at remote
locations, making confirmation of nesting difficult.
Challenge:
Locate rookeries that are perhaps associated with some of the
Possible records.