Thanks to Dottie Lavallee for posting the report that Team Pipit had found an adult Tri-colored Heron this afternoon around 3:15 at the Brilyea Access at Dead Creek in Addison. The bird was still present and actively feeding when we left Dead Creek around 4:30, by which time two other birders (John Deppman - hope I have the spelling correct - and Ted Murin) had arrived to admire this handsome heron, as it put on really quite a good show.  The bird appears to be not quite in full breeding plumage, as the yellow at the base of the bill and around the eye is quite obvious; also, the legs are definitely yellowish-green.  But overall, colors are bright and there is a distinctive white plume visible at the back of the crown.

The bird was feeding in the area on the left, as you proceed down the access road to Brilyea, where the marsh widens and there is good shorebird habitat obvious around the blue (I think) nesting box on the far side of the marsh. A scope may well be necessary to see this rather small heron (at least in comparison to the Great Blue Heron which is also in the area).

This, so far as I know, is just the third state record for Tri-colored Heron in Vermont (the last being about 20 years ago).  The rain may keep it in place so don't procrastinate if you are interested in seeing this rare-for-Vermont bird!

Good luck.

Pipit.