On June 8, Strawberry Island (between 11:36 AM and 12:57 PM) was observed from the south end of Aqua Lane, .4 miles further south along River Road, 1.4 miles north of the south end of Aqua Lane at the Ontario Street Boat launch, 1.0 mile south of the south end of Aqua Lane, and from Beaver Island State Park at the south end of Grand Island. No Great Egret Colony was observed from these positions. In the evening observing Strawberry Island from the south end of Aqua Lane between 9:07- 9:11 PM, 12 Great Egrets were counted. From 9:11 to 9:16 PM, a total of 19 Great Egrets were counted on Strawberry Island. Then I counted the egrets as they flew in to Strawberry Island using a Swarovski AT80 20-60X spotting scope with the following results: 9:16-9:21---+3 Great Egrets 9:21-9:27---+6 Great Egrets 9:27-9:36---+2 Great Egrets 9:36-9:44---+3 Great Egrets 9:44-9:55---+0 Great Egrets For a total of 33 Great Egrets, which is very similar to David Gordon's count of 32 that he made from the more distant Sheridan Boat Launch on June 7. Doing a sweep I found a group of five egrets north of the area I was viewing, so I made a telescopic sweep and counted 35 Great Egrets. Unlike the colony at Motor Island, at the Strawberry Island roost, landing egrets are less likely to disappear into the foliage. June 9 - This morning I again observed Strawberry Island from the south end of Aqua Lane from 5:06 AM to 5:28 AM. I was a little too late because at: 5:06 to 5:10 15 Great Egrets left the Island. (I saw departing egrets in less than 10 seconds after I arrived.) 5:10 to 5:18 12 Great Egrets left the Island 5:18 to 5:24 one left at 5:24 one egret returned to the roost at 5:26 the egret that returned left with one the roosting egrets at 5:28 I left and there were still three Great Egrets still at the roosting location on Strawberry Island (and two foraging along the shoreline). This equals a total of 32 egrets, but I got there to late. Sunrise was at 5:37 AM and Civil Twilight began at 5:02 AM. In past June's there have been very few Great Egrets on Strawberry Island. I have been doing June Great Egret counts on Motor Island since 1995. (1) Never before in June have I seen Great Egrets leaving the colony in the evening in great numbers, as I have this year. In the past, some would leave, circle, and then return to reposition their location in the roost. (2) Never before have I seen 35 egrets on Strawberry Island in June. The BOS Noteworthy Records Database from 1960 to 2009 has only one record of June Great Egrets on Strawberry Island: one Great Egret on June 3, 2005. However, I recall seen as many as two or maybe three in past summers. What has caused the evening desertion from Motor Island and the large egret numbers on Strawberry Island? (1) possibly a disturbance on Motor Island, such as new egret predator, disease, or human intervention. If this is true the nest count of 53 egret nests that the NYSDEC took before May 3rd should now be greatly reduced (assuming the NYSDEC nest count was of occupied nests). (2) Since Great Egrets sexually mature at 2 to 3 years, the Strawberry Island Egrets may be roosting immature Great Egrets. For some reason they have started roosting on Strawberry Island this year, or they have roosted in the past, but there is no record. However, I do not think this explains why egrets now are deserting Motor Island in the evening in large numbers. It seems to me they would have a greater fidelity to Motor Island, if they had nests there this year. If you have any ideas as to the cause of the possible evening desertion from Motor Island and the large egret numbers on Strawberry Island this June, please do not hesitate to email me privately. Bill Watson --
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