Edgar is Home

Spring is here and so is Edgar. On March 30, Edgar the Egret made his way (to Don Riepe’s) home in Broad Channel for his 14th season.

Jamaica Bay Guardian Riepe said his feathered friend arrived hungry and was quickly replenished with 50 baitfish. That was a satisfactory offering for the first day, but Edgar is already making demands for his favorite meal—salmon.

Jamaica Bay serves as Edgar’s home nesting territory, and his colorful lores (the area between his eyes and bill) is already turning a bright green thanks to being back home and being welcomed with such hospitality.

According to Riepe, egrets’ beautiful long plumes were once prized for women’s hats in the late 1800s and the birds were shot by the thousands. “Thanks to the founding of the National Audubon Society (1905) and the Migratory Bird Treaty (1918), they were fully protected and are now a common denizen of our marshes,” he said.

Anyone who would like to support Edgar’s diet, can make a donation to the American Littoral Society. Find Don Riepe on Facebook for a donation link or visit www.littoralsociety.org