There was a Great Egret at Reed's Marsh, Orford last evening, and I saw it again late this morning on my way north. 
     The real excitement this morning was an incredible pursuit of an osprey by an adult bald eagle. It occurred over the open water, and the osprey managed to just avoid capture several times by suddenly veering just before the eagle caught up. The whole episode must have lasted about 45-60 seconds as the chase continued in a circle 20 to 75 feet over the water. Ultimately, the eagle gave up the chase and the osprey circled up and drifted to the north with a second bird that appeared at the end. The eagle was almost certainly one of the nesting pair along the Connecticut River about 0.5 miles to the north. Meanwhile, the Great Egret spooked up and climbed to a safe elevation above the chase. I don't know whether it returned to the marsh.


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