[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Virginina Rails, Bittern, Merlin at Bodie



Tracy and I decided to try for the kingbird at Pea this weekend and drove
down Saturday morning.  Although much more common than the tropical
visitor, our favorite sightings were of marsh skulkers at the Bodie
lighthouse pond.  The water levels are VERY low right now so most of the
marsh vegetation is separated from the water by a strip of mud.  Prime real
estate for viewing secretive marsh birds.  Our primary objective was
American Bittern, and one was located from the dike trail.  The bird did
the normal routine including a slow trek, with head and neck down, along
the water's edge, a short flight to display those brown wingtips, and a bit
of vertical neck-stretching.

At dusk we had to decide whether to look for rails from the marsh overlook
or wait for the Great Horned Owl to appear in the pines beside the visitor
center.  We compromised by each taking a 2-way radio and staking out each
spot.  The rails appeared first.  Fussell's book indicates that if you
stand on the overlook long enough a rail might walk right by in front of
you.  They did.  2 Virginia Rails spent a goodly amount of time running in
and out of the marsh grass right at out feet.

A few minutes later the owl appeared for it's evening vocal performance and
a Merlin circled the gallery of the lighthouse.  I believe the bird was
roosting somewhere in the ironwork at the top of the lighthouse.  We
watched it circle for some time before apparently landing and not
reappearing.  Merlins were fairly evident this weekend with several
sighting up and down the banks.  Oh yeah, the kingbird was there too :-)

Best,
Steve Shultz
Cary, NC
----------------------------------------------------------------
The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to
which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged
material.  Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or
taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or
entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited.   If you received
this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any
computer.