White Heron Sighting

by Mae
(Courtright, Ontario, Canada)

I live beside the St. Clair River in Courtright, Ontario, on the border with Michigan. We have had 2 sightings of a pure white heron flying over the river in the past week.


Not sure if it is the same bird twice or 2 different ones. We have never seen a white one before and were wondering if they are usually found in this area. I wasn't fast enough to get a picture.

Has anyone else seen it?

Comments for White Heron Sighting

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Jun 07, 2018
 White Heron/Egret NEW
by: Joscelyn Coolican

Saw a beautiful White Heron/Egret? last evening in Ottawa, in the Ottawa River near Champlain Park.
Sep 04, 2017
 Two White Herons with a Great Blue Heron
by: Sally

Two White Herons together with a Great Blue Heron in a pond in Guelph Ontario.
Sep 02, 2017
 White Heron
by: Anonymous

I currently have a white Heron visiting my pond(South Eastern Quebec). It's been visiting for almost a week now.
Sep 02, 2017
 Flock Sighting
by: Anonymous

Ada, MI. Approx 9:30 am. Flock of White Herons (at least 10) in pond behind house. Usually have a single blue heron in the area but have never seen white and certainly not this many at once. Beautiful!
Aug 22, 2017
 White heron
by: Anonymous

Saw a white heron between harriston and mount forest ontario.legs were yellow not black,,
Aug 16, 2017
 white heron
by: Anonymous

have pictures of one know there are two near palmerston ontaio
May 09, 2017
 White bird?
by: Anonymous

HI. Saw the same bird when I was passing by the ottawa river on the bus. Was it a great egret or a great white heron? Couldnt edentify passing by that quickly.
May 09, 2017
 White heron sighting ottawa river
by: James

Just saw a white heron in the Ottawa River along the Sir John A MacDonald parkway.
May 04, 2017
 White heron sighting
by: Anonymous

Just saw a white heron around our half acre lake in Geneva Ohio. We are about 20 miles from the Pennsylvania line. We have never seen one in the 25 years that we've lived here.
Apr 17, 2017
 White Heron ?
by: Don

Sighted 2016 repeatedly in marshy areas adjacent to 401 between Kingston & Gananoque Ontario,
2017 Apr. 15 marshy area less that a kilometer north. Heron ? Egret?
Apr 17, 2017
 White Heron ?
by: Don

Sighted 2016 repeatedly in marshy areas adjacent to 401 between Kingston & Gananoque Ontario,
2017 Apr. 15 marshy area less that a kilometer north. Heron ? Egret?
Sep 09, 2016
 First sighting.
by: Anonymous

Saw my first one ever today at The Meadows Golf Course at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI. Very Cool!
Sep 08, 2016
 White Heron with Blue Heron
by: Anonymous

I have seen a white heron twice on our lake in Indianapolis, IN. The last time, they were standing in the water-.the blue at the left hand and the white at the right, near the middle. They seemed to be watching over a flock of ducks.
Is this common? Is it common to see a white heron here in Indianapolis, IN? Especially in the early fall season?
Sep 08, 2016
 White Heron with Blue Heron
by: Anonymous

I have seen a white heron twice on our lake in Indianapolis, IN. The last time, they were standing in the water-.the blue at the left hand and the white at the right, near the middle. They seemed to be watching over a flock of ducks.
Is this common? Is it common to see a white heron here in Indianapolis, IN? Especially in the early fall season?
Sep 03, 2016
 St johns Mi. Spotted
by: chuck

Saw one this morning north east of St. Johns Mi. Maple River
Aug 12, 2016
 Spotted one today
by: Michelle Pero

I saw a Great White Heron today eating along side of a Great Grey Heron in the marsh area along side of Thirteen Island Lake in South Frontenac today as I was driving by. Never seeing one in the past I quickly stopped and backed up to take in the view, unfortunately this was a ought to spook the pair and they flew off. I will keep an eye open for this one again and hopefully get a picture next time.
Aug 07, 2016
 White Heron
by: Don ARMITAGE

I saw one today. It was feeding in a pond on our property along with a Great Blue Heron. The White Heron was slightly smaller than the Great Blue. We are just outside of Brantford Ontario
May 03, 2016
 Great White Heron
by: Shelley

I saw a great white heron south of London On, in a bog.
Apr 26, 2016
 Kingston area
by: Peter K

I saw your Brockville bird in Joyceville near Kingston ON. I've seen this white one for several years running. Love to get a pic but I'm always seeing him while whistling along the 401.
Apr 15, 2016
 White Heron
by: Doug Jensen

Saw a white heron today April 15 2016 fly over the St Lawrence River @ Brockville Ont
Sep 12, 2015
 Lake Simcoe
by: Van

We live on the shores of Lake Simcoe ,Hamlet of Virginia. Have had the pleasure of seeing a white Heron hanging around our property along with a few grey/Blue Herons all summer. They are still here in Mid September.
Aug 17, 2015
 white heron on Belwood Lake
by: Kelsye

Just saw a white heron standing beside a blue heron on Belwood Lake, just east of Fergus, ON. Beautiful!
Aug 04, 2015
 White heron
by: Gary

I live in south jersey and there is a white heron in my pond
Oct 01, 2014
 white heron siting
by: Steve, Danielle & Nathanael

Saw a white heron on September 28 on the edge of Lake Erie about 20 km west of Dunnville. Surprised us as have never seen a white one before. Stayed in the same area of water all day which doesn't happen as a general rule with the grey ones we often see.
Sep 20, 2014
 White Egret
by: Anonymous

I live in Port Colborne ON. We have a white egret in our wetlands on cement plant road off of hwy 3. It isn't the great white, but it's there a lot. So come visit Port Colborne birders:)
Sep 13, 2014
 Update
by: Anonymous

The "white" Heron returned and this time I was able to take picture. It was actually a Great Egret
Melancthon Ont
Sep 13, 2014
 White Heron
by: Anonymous

Today I saw a White Heron on our back pond in Melancthon Ont. We often have Blue Herons and had two earlier this morning. The Heron this afternoon was definitely white.
Sep 12, 2014
 White heron
by: Anonymous

I saw a white heron in Berea, Ohio. He was standing still in the water. I did get a little close to him but he flew farther down the river. He was right by a blue heron.
Sep 02, 2014
 White Heron, Lake of Two Mountains,Quebec
by: Anonymous

I live on the lake for 26 years and today was the first ever sighting of a White Heron.
Aug 12, 2014
 white egrets
by: Jim R.

We regularly take our pontoon boat for slow Ausable River cruises in the "cut" and end up at Chicken Island at the mouth of the river in Port Franks, and we see several white egrets and blue heron on every trip.Any time we have guests on board with us,which is often, they can not get enough photos of the white egrets. They are as white as the driven snow.
Aug 10, 2014
 White Heron
by: Anonymous

My wife and I saw a white heron along the shore of the lake in Downsview Park today (Aug.10). We have seen Grey herons in the area but never a white.
Jul 31, 2014
 Great white heron sighting around Montreal Qc.
by: Luc Normandin

I was driving on highway 30 westbound near LaPrairie, south of Montreal, Quebec, and I saw a white heron, the size of a great blue, going southward. July 30, 2014
Jul 27, 2014
 Seen in london
by: Lynne

I live near Thames river downtown london. About a week ago I saw a huge white bird and bigger than a swan. It was passing quite low thru the trees in worttley village. It had very long stick legs and had to have a wing span of 6-8ft. Any other sightings that you've heard of near london ?
Jul 01, 2014
 White Heron Sighting
by: Anonymous

I have seen a White Heron on the southeast side of Indianapolis. He seems to have taken up residence as I have seen him several times since May 2014. We normally have Blue Herons hanging out around our retention ponds so this is a new phenomena.
Jun 18, 2014
 White Herron
by: Anonymous

We have seen white Herron on the lake near port elgin the last two years. Could also be white egrets?m
May 09, 2014
 white Heron
by: Anonymous

Full flight over 407 at Keele street on Thursday May 8 2014. It was approx. 930 a.m. Looked like a younger Heron, not as long. Definitely rare. Been driving for UPS for 20 years, first sighting for me.
Apr 29, 2014
 Seen a white heron in micksburg ont Monday April 28 I also seen one a week before flying in Cobden over muskrat lake ..
by: Anonymous

Eatery
Apr 23, 2014
 I saw a white heron in Indiana yesterday
by: Anonymous

I live in Indianapolis, Indiana, and yesterday I saw a white heron at a retention pond at the back of my house.
Apr 13, 2014
 sighting in eastern Ontario
by: joni

Just saw great white heron in the flooded fields near our home in Vankleek Hill Ontario. Late spring and Still some snow about. Never seen one before and we've been here over 22 years.
Aug 31, 2013
 Montreal
by: Rick muise

I live near Hudson quebec and often while biking by the lake of two mountains and I sight one or two white herons . I was wondering if they are common in this area
Aug 22, 2013
 Blue Herons and White Egret
by: Anonymous

I have seen both birds at ponds in Grove City, Ohio. The ponds have been located next to the Kroger strip mall on Hoover Rd. At the Landings Condo complex on Quail Creek Drive and at the Quail Creek pond on Quail Creek Drive.
Aug 18, 2013
 White herons, Brussels, ont
by: mary ann

We saw two birds that looked like herons but pure white. Never seen it before. Is that common in our area?
Aug 13, 2013
 White Heron
by: Pam

My Mom and I saw a white heron yesterday, near Pelham, ON. I have lived her my whole life (45 yrs) and have only seen blue heron's here. We managed to take several pics of it with our phones!
Aug 11, 2013
 White heron
by: Anonymous

Just witness my first white blue heron behind Clarke rd in london on. Had to search to make sure I wasn't seeing things. Beautiful!
Aug 04, 2013
 white heron
by: Anonymous

Just saw my first white heron this morning in Woodstock, Ont. I have seen several great blue herons in this area over the years but never a white one. There were 3 of them in pond.
Jul 29, 2013
 White Heron in Montreal
by: Anonymous

I saw one for the 2nd time this morning. I thought I'd seen one a few weeks back outside my office window but thought it could have been the lighting. This morning if flew over as I drove across the bridge on my scooter and I got a great view, definitely white.
May 27, 2013
 white heron
by: norm

I live on lake huron in port elgin and white herons have been common here for about 15 years . I see them dailey. FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS NESTING swans have appeared and have young.
May 18, 2013
 great white heron
by: ctb

i saw a Great White Heron on my way to work going westbound on the 401 between Gananoque and Joyceville and on the north side of the road in a well established pond. i saw it two years ago too, but in August.

May 16, 2013
 Hi Mae
by: Brian Courtney, Owen Sound Ont

As noted I live in the Owen Sound area and I am sure that I spotted a White Heron on a field excursion today, back road meandering river ... perfect setting with geese and ducks, this gorgeous white heron flew over landed in the river around a bend I got close enough to snap a few shots .. would love to share just not sure how on this sight
Apr 16, 2013
 White Heron Sighting April 16 2013
by: John

Plsd to hear that someone else has seen a White Heron in Southern Ontario, I just saw one this morning passing over my house in Beamsville Ont.
Thought I was seeing things, it was fighting a strong wind from the North and had to circle back a few times to catch a calm spell and make its progress towards the North. I didn't think White Herons came this far North, we have a resident pair of Blue Herons that stay around a nearby creek all year but its the first time Iv'e seen a White Heron in these parts.

Hope to see more as would be nice.

John/
Nov 05, 2012
 what are white herons
by: Anonymous

Cattle and little egrets are white herons as they are in the family.
Aug 26, 2012
 White Heron in Poconos Aug. 26, 2012
by: Anonymous

I believe that I saw a White Heron in a swampy area in the Poconos. I've seen blue heron several times, but this one was pure white and very large.
Aug 18, 2012
 White Heron
by: William

Just saw another one in my neighborhood on Grove City,Ohio at a pond
Aug 17, 2012
 another sighting
by: Craig Grandine

While hiking with my wife on the Ron Savage loop of Bruce Trail North of Owen Sound, We observed 2 very large white birds flying near a marshy area next to the trail. Along side the very large birds we observed a great
Blue heron. We did not get a picture as they were quick. We believe these were great white herons as well.
Jun 25, 2012
 herons
by: Anonymous

on my calender i saw a picture of the great white heron wicth looked like our local grey heron.did you know he once got chased by a moorhen! haha you should come and see him on the river wandle , london rd hackbridge england.i see this every morning when i go to school.
Jun 04, 2012
 whit heron
by: Anonymous

saw two white herons sun 6 am at caruthers creek golf course ajax a first for me in 53 years
Jun 02, 2012
 White Heron - Kingston Ontario
by: Malkhe Behr

We have a white heron currently residing in the swampy area just west of Collins Bay Road, south of Highway 2. I've seen him/her flying overhead, perched and wading. Gorgeous!
May 13, 2012
 White heron
by: Anonymous

Saw a white heron fishing in a pond in Reminderville, Ohio on Sunday May 13th. Looked just like a blue heron only white!! Never have seen one like this in Ohio before. He had a grey bill and light grey legs but all white feathers.
May 08, 2012
 White heron spotted at the Brickworks
by: Sali

I spotted a white heron in one of the ponds at the Brickworks in Toronto. It may be still there. Go have a look.

What a beautiful creature!
Apr 27, 2012
 White Heron
by: Bill

I saw one flying 4/27/12 in Columbus,Ohio
Feb 22, 2012
 white herons
by: Anonymous

i saw three all white herons this morning on the somerset levels, was really surprised didn't know there was such a bird
Oct 06, 2011
 Wow. White herons!
by: Anonymous

I love herons. From the train today I thought I saw a swan. Then I saw three standing white herons - definitely not swans. The train was crossing the bridge at rouge park and fairmont beach. Thanks google maps.
Sep 06, 2011
 white herons
by: suzanne

On sept 5 2011 spotted four white herons in Whitby harbor area in Whitby Ontario. The grey heron did not like close to him near him so he chased them to their area of the pond.Never seen them in this before.
Aug 30, 2011
 Egret or Heron?
by: Anonymous

I, too, saw the white heron in Vaudreuil Bay today! And then...there were three more of them! It's the first time in ten years I have seen them, though the blue herons are always there.

I looked up the white Egret, and I don't think it can be that, at it doesn't have the 'loopy' neck, nor black legs.
Aug 29, 2011
 egret
by: Anonymous

egret-if the beak is all yellow its a great egret-if there is black on beak its a snowy-very cool birds!
Aug 26, 2011
 White Heron
by: charlie jenkins

White Heron sighted n 39 deg 32 min 09 sec 31mil / west 76 deg 48 32 06 in my pond at 5 pm aug 25th 2011 eating frogs and happy as a clam
Aug 23, 2011
 white herons spotted in Nova Scotia
by: Anonymous

Our first time seeing a white heron, beautiful birds. We have lots of blue herons in Ragged Harbour N.S.
But we have never seen this white guy before here.
Nice to see other comments about these maginificent birds.
Aug 20, 2011
 Ottawa
by: Richard

Walking the dog this morning on the Ottawa River saw a large white Heron. It moved in a jerky motion. Saw a great blue fall by it was definitely a different bird. Sorry no pictures
Aug 15, 2011
 Crane or White Heron
by: Anonymous

Vaudreuil Bay, at the southwestern tip of Montreal, Quebec. The second year I have seen an all-white heron (what looks like a crane due to the smaller size). Always in the same vicinity as a great blue heron.
Aug 14, 2011
 Saw many of these white birds
by: Eve from Kingston area Ont. Canada

I saw 4or 5 of these white birds that look like small herons in a pond on my way to work. I did not see them for a while so thought afterwards I might have dreamed this. Then yesterday morning on my way to work i saw them again but did not have a chance to stop. This morning I planned to stop but there were already two cars ahead of me stopped and were taking pictures. They had yellow beaks and this time there were more of them possibly 10.
Aug 01, 2011
 Sighting at Duffin's Creek, Ajax On.
by: Fraser

While crossing the bridge at the mouth of Duffin's Creek, in Ajax Ontario on July, 28th, I spotted an albino Heron. I took my canoe and camera back the next day in very bad weather. Sure enough he was right there and I managed to get some great flying shots. I noticed an orange leg band in one of the photos.
May 17, 2011
 white heron sighting eastern ontario
by: Anonymous

We live on the Landmark Holleford Crater just north of Kingston and my husband spotted a snow while "heron" flying across the Crater swamp area today . We have had lots of rain so lots of marshy areas behind our home and with binoculars he saw the white heron very clearly no mistaking it .. Amazing and we're hoping we get to see it again ..
May 01, 2011
 White Herons? Me too!
by: Michelle

I am so fascinated by the increasing population of "cranes" in our Southern Michigan (Jackson Co) area. I've been watching daily a mother sand hill crane sitting on her nest out in a swamp. But I have also spotted what I believe to be a white heron in a nearby area. Seem to be the same one each time (always the same vicinity) but this is the first time I've seen one. Too far back in the swamp for me to get a decent picture, but at least I can say with more certainty that I am NOT crazy. There are other people spotting these in Michigan as well.
Apr 21, 2011
 So glad I'm not alone!
by: Lana Hieftje

I was in Saginaw, MI. today and happened to see what looked like a while heron fly over I-75, so I made a mental note of the area and when I was on my way back (with camera in hand) I started watching for herons. I saw a great blue flying and he was going lower and lower, so I watched where he went. We took the next exit and tried to find the small pond where I thought the great blue landed. I walked to the pond quietly and got pretty close before 6 snow white herons took off. I did get some pretty great pics, but haven't loaded them yet, but will soon. I came on line to see if we have any Native to Mich. or if they're Albino.
Sep 27, 2010
 Great White Heron
by: Karen

sept. 27, 2010

I live in a housing development in a small town north of Toronto. Behind our house there is a small water run off/man made pond. Looking out my back window at 8 am in the morning I saw a large bird resembling a heron fishing in the water and wading near the shore.

I grabbed my camera and headed out to see if I could catch a picture of it. When I got closer I realized that the bird fully resembled a great blue heron but was in fact snow white from head to toe. Unfortunately I startled what I am assuming was its mate, a typical great blue heron that i didn't see and they both flew off before I could get a decent picture.
This is the first time I have ever seen a snow white heron.

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