Middlefork Savannah King Rail (immature) and other birds Thursday 07/21/2010

[Jeff Skrentny]

After missing the Middlefork King Rails on Wednesday morning, I convinced my family that a trip with a picnic dinner at Middlefork Savannah would be a good way to spend the evening.  That, at least was my plan so I could yet again try to find these rails in an attempt to photograph them and add them to my year list.  

As I arrived at the bridge, I was greeted by a White-tailed Deer fawn foraging in the area where the rails had been seen.  
 

At the bridge I did not see any rails, but I did find this photogenic Green Heron to the south


and this female Mallard Duck with her brood to the north.


I left the bridge and went to the wetland area just to the north and east of the bridge and just stood there when I saw the reeds move in a windless night.  I decided to see if I could call a King Rail in.  It ran up to greet me, so close to my feet that I couldn't photograph it.  I just stood still and eventually it became uninterested in me and started foraging around.  Moving very slowly I was able to get these photos as the sun was setting.








As I was watching this immature King Rail another birder came up, but the bird moved away.  We called it back in one more time and it put on a great show for us, foraging, preening and taking a bath in the water.  Just don't expect this from a species of bird that seems so skittish most of the time that I have seen them.  

Satisfied with seeing this bird, though disappointed I didn't get a chance to photograph the adult bird, I went back to get the family for a sunset walk from the north bridge down to the south bridge.  Arriving at that pond just to the south and west of the south bridge we immediately found the Wood Duck brood that was there the day before, saw a Sora working the southern edge of the pond, had a Great Blue Heron fly in,


and managed to get this less than perfect photo of a Virgina Rail as the sun had set behind the tree line.
 

Not often I get three rail species in one short evening of birding, especially with the family in tow, so I consider the night a fantastic success and a great way to tee up for the trip south Greg and I have planned for the weekend to make yet another attempt to find the elusive Lower Cache Anhinga.  

[ElliotSchunke]

Just don't expect this from a species of bird that seems so skittish most of the time that I have seen them.  

especially since its in that heavy of molt.  I know they're not strong fliers to begin with but I wouldn't think this bird can get of the ground it its condition. look at all those feathers in in the shafts still!

[ivrit]

I saw 2-3 (hard to keep track of individuals) King Rails yesterday evening at the first bridge at Middlefork, as well as an unidentifiable (to me) little bird, mostly black with white flecks, that popped up from the reeds and flew away frantically when I approached the marshy pond area near the bridge.  The black and white bird was rather small (somewhere between robin and sparrow-sized), with a short tail.  Only got a quick look at it.

[ElliotSchunke]

hmmmmm.......Black Rail?  That would be a nice find.

[Jeff Skrentny]

hmmmmm.......Black Rail?  That would be a nice find.

You'd have to think about a juvenile VRail first, and I know they are present there... 

[ElliotSchunke]

yeah, you're probably right, Jeff.  I wishful think a lot.

here's a juv Virginia Rail (old enough for flight capabilities)


and a Black Rail for comparison.

[tkelly]

Middlefork wouldn't be a terrible place for a Black Rail though...OK, maybe I'm just trying to keep hope alive

[Jeff Skrentny]

yeah, you're probably right, Jeff.  I wishful think a lot.

Your wishful thinking is my aspirational birding...if you don't put it out there it will never be possible. 

And, boy oh boy, would I love to add that bird to my LIFE and State lists.