A Western Reef Heron is Seen in New Hampshire

Posted by Rosemary Drisdelle Aug 30, 2006

Birders in New Hampshire are watching a Western Reef Heron, native to Africa and the Middle East. The heron was seen in Maine near Kittery Point on Aug 18, then in New Castle, New Hampshire the following day. It is still in the New Castle area today (Aug 30, 2006). Is this the same bird that thrilled birdwatchers in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia earlier in the summer? The Glace Bay bird was last seen in that location about Aug 8, and it was speculated that it might be a long time immigrant, migrating between northeastern Canada and the Caribbean annually. It seems likely that this is the same bird moving south as winter approaches. It will be fascinating to see whether it continues to catch the eye of birdwatchers to the south over the coming weeks.

You may want to spend a few moments with an interesting birdfeeder webcam in New Zealand called the Little Valley Webcam. It is not always running, but when it is, there is often a lot of activity. I've seen both Tuis and Wax Eyes at the feeder but never both birds together. The picture updates once a minute and sometimes you see the Tuis in one shot, then the Wax Eyes in the next, then the Tuis again and so on, as though they are happily taking turns. Indeed, the webmaster remarks that the Tuis ignore the Wax Eyes but chase away the larger Bellbirds (which I haven't seen). One minute seems like a long time when you are waiting, so I minimize the page while I'm doing something else, and check back every minute or so. If you see a Bellbird, start a discussion and let us know.