When great egrets (Ardea alba) return to northern Illinois to nest,  summer has arrived.  But when they wander away from their breeding grounds, sometimes gathering in small flocks, summer is waning.

In late August, first-of-the-year great egrets are dispersing to wetlands to snatch a frog, fish or other delicacy. Their parents no longer need to care for them. Meanwhile, their parents are also out hunting alone or in groups, sometimes in the hundreds.

Some places to look for congregating egrets are large wetlands and fairly shallow ponds. The Palos wetlands in Cook County and  the Wadsworth Wetlands in Lake County are two places to look.  

The great egrets will soon be flying south for the winter. Great blue herons generally stay later on in the season and congregate in smaller groups.

Cool stuff about the great egret

White heron?

Some call this large white wading bird a white heron. Actually, it is in the same family as the great blue heron. But the correct name is great egret. The white bird has a long yellow bill and is solid white with black legs and feet.

Breeding plumes

Great egrets display long white plumes and green behind the eye during breeding season. They begin to lose their plumage as summer progreses. None of their offspring will develop that plumage until they are ready to breed. 

Audubon inspiration

The National Audubon Society was formed in the late 1800s when George Bird Grinnell wanted to stop the practice of killing birds like egrets for purposes such as having plumes to put in women’s hats. In 1898, a group of women with the same beliefs, formed the Massachusetts Audubon Society.

Today these birds are protected and their plumes are admired from afar or through a pair of binoculars.

If you would like to contribute a nature moment of the week photo and want more informatino on what you are seeing, e-mail the photo to sdevore@tribune.com with your contact information. You might see it in print.

TribLocal story and photo by Sheryl DeVore