Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Virginia Rails

     I recently got a break from school and was able to get out for a quick weekend trip birding. I decided to swing through California and down past the Salton Sea to Yuma Arizona. I camped at Mittry Lake in Yuma Arizona in the hopes to see or hear a Black Rail, but that didn't happen. Instead, I had a great encounter with a cousin to that bird.

     I was staking out a gap in the reeds hoping to catch a rail as it passed by when I saw movement in the reeds. I saw a dark, squat shape and at first thought it was a Black Rail, But the long bill and stripe flanks showed it to be a Virginia Rail instead. It was very busy foraging and paid me no care at all.

Virginia Rail
Virginia Rail - Yuma AZ-USA

     I continued watching the reeds when I saw a dark shape passing through the shadows and managed to get a few shots off. I was hoping it was a photo of a Black Rail, which would have made me much happier than just hearing one, which I would have been fine with.



Virginia Rail chick
Mittry Lake - Yuma AZ-USA

     But I had to wait to get home to see that it wasn't a Black Rail, but a chick. The Sibley Guide even mentions to "beware that downy young of all rails are black." I continued my vigil. Fifteen or more minutes when by when I saw another Rail pop right out in front of me, not more than 10 feet away. 






Virginia Rail
Virginia Rail - Yuma AZ-USA
     I was amazed to watch it so close and shake off some water before it disappeared into the opposite side of the gap. 


Virginia Rail
Virginia Rail - Yuma, AZ-USA

     It was only gone for a minute before it was back. Didn't it see me, I was sitting next to a shrub but fairly in the open. Maybe it was the sun being behind me, but there it was. And this time it was carrying something. 



Virginia Rail
Virginia Rails - Yuma, AZ-USA


Virginia Rail
Virginia Rails - Yuma, AZ-USA

     The Rial had a wriggling worm in it's beak. Meanwhile all this time I was hearing some peeping noises from off to my left, deep in the reeds. I didn't recognize it, which is par for the course for me. But shortly after something amazing happened.



Virginia Rails
Virginia Rails - Yuma, AZ-USA

     Two rail chicks ran out from cover to get the worm! I just sat there and took photos.


Virginia Rails
Virginia Rails - Yuma, AZ-USA


Virginia Rails
Virginia Rails - Yuma, AZ-USA



Virginia Rails
Virginia Rails - Yuma, AZ-USA
     Look at that foot! 
Virginia Rails
Virginia Rails - Yuma, AZ-USA

Virginia Rails
Virginia Rails - Yuma, AZ-USA


Virginia Rails
Virginia Rails - Yuma, AZ-USA
     Shortly before they finally ran off, a third chick joined them and they quickly disappeared.


Virginia Rails
Virginia Rails - Yuma, AZ-USA
     And going back to that original photo of those shadows passing through the reeds, they were these chicks scampering by. 


Virginia Rail
Virginia Rail - Yuma, AZ-USA


     What a great experience and made up for dipping on their cousins, the Black Rails (turns out I wasn't far enough north). I also got to hear some Ridgeway's Rails during the night, what a great spot.

     Thanks for making it this far. My next post will be of an amazing bird that showed up in Southeast Arizona the previous week.

     Cheers and thanks for making it this far.