For the past two months, there have been occasional reports of Reddish Egrets on our Island. Recently, as many as three birds have been seen at one time. Several people have wondered, are they a family unit? Is it two young birds and an adult “Mom?”
Let us break down those questions. First, scientifically, this is a very understudied species. So much about their life history remains unknown. Maybe observations like these can contribute to science.
With a little research on eBird, I learned that the first Reddish Egrets of the year in South Carolina showed up around June 5th. All four June reports were of single birds widely dispersed (Huntington Beach 6/5, Litchfield Beach 6/9, Santee Coastal Reserve 6/16, and Bear Island 6/30). All of these were seen once only. Was it one bird moving around or multiple birds? Without photographs, it is hard to say. The pictures of the June 9 Litchfield Beach bird showed an adult bird. The report for the June 30 Bear Island bird identified it as a juvenile. That tells us there were multiple birds.
Once decimated by plume hunters in the early 20th century, the species has rebounded some. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) considered the Reddish Egret to be “Near threatened.” So, finding one of these birds is exciting.
Currently, Reddish Egrets breed along the coast in the Gulf states. Much like many birds in the egret/heron families, they nest in colonies. Nesting starts in February or March. Once the young hatch and are on their own (about 6 weeks) this species experiences a post breeding dispersal. Both the young and adults move away from the nesting colony to find new food sources. Many fly south while others fly north. The timing works, so I hypothesize that Reddish Egrets visit South Carolina during post breeding dispersal. The other possibility revolves around the fact that this species rarely breeds until it is two years old. Those young non-breeding birds do not visit the nesting colonies and are out there somewhere.
A few more eBird reports appeared in July and they all appear to be juveniles. A single bird, verified via pictures, appears to have visited both Kiawah and Seabrook Island on July 27 and hung around until at least August 19. This bird may be one of the three birds reported on September 23. The images make me think this young bird also spent some time on Hunting Island around September 16-18. I believe all this answers the question, “Is it a family unit?” No, this one bird has been in the area for weeks and is now joined by two other birds, one adult and one juvenile, and therefore, are most likely not related. Certainly not traveling together.
Why Seabrook Island? Reddish Egrets prefer shallow lagoons and ponds where fish, their favorite prey, can become trapped in falling water. Our lagoon and tidal pools provide ideal hunting grounds.
If you can observe this species feeding, they tend to be hyperactive, dashing comically about here and there stabbing quickly at small fish to snag a meal. Try not to laugh! At other times, they spread their wings over their back and out to the side creating a shade umbrella which draws fish wishing to hide in the shade to their doom.
Will the Reddish Egrets stay on Seabrook Island? Probably not. Most Reddish Egrets migrate south for our winter, though some birds remain along Florida, Louisiana and Texas coasts. That’s okay, it gives us something more to look forward to when they return next year.
Article by Bob Mercer
Photos by Maureen Healy