Green Heron 



The nesting period of this semi-colonial bird is intermediate between the 

 night herons and the other day herons (Fig. 31). It departs fairly early in 

 late summer and early fall. 



Little Blue Heron 



This species, along with snowy egrets and Louisiana herons, begins nest- 

 ing activity in late April and early May (Fig. 32). Southern populations lay 

 eggs earlier than northern populations. 



Cattle Egret 



Cattle egrets often are the last to nest (Fig. 33). They may not arrive 

 until May, with egg-laying often extending into June. 



Great Egret 



This species, the largest egret, is among the earliest to nest (Fig. 34). 

 In southern locations, egg-laying peaks in mid-April. 



Snov;y Egret 



This species generally begins nesting in late April-early May, at the 

 same time as Louisiana and little blue herons (Fig. 35). Additional data in 

 New York and New Jersey probably would reveal a nesting pattern similar to 

 that in the other two regions. 



Louisiana Heron 



Louisiana herons only recently have been recorded as a breeding species 

 in New England and, therefore, are not included in that region (Fig. 36). Few 

 data are available from other areas. 



Black-crowned Night Heron 



Next to the great blue, this heron is the earliest to nest, even laying 

 eggs in March in New England (J. Hatch pers. comm. ) (Fig. 37). A great deal 

 of variability occurs among colonies, even within the same State. For example, 

 in 1976, most birds at a Martha's Vineyard colony were incubating in early 

 June, while at House Island, Massachusetts young were already quite large by 

 mid-June. Most of the population leaves New England in winter. Recently, 

 greater numbers are remaining through the winter in New Jersey and New York 

 (R. Kane pers. comm. ). 



Yellow-crowned Night Heron 



Insufficient data are available on this species to adequately describe 

 nesting chronology. 



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