Tree Swallows
I hoped that the 80 degree temperatures combined with the light southerly breezes might bring some earlier-than-usual migratory species to the trail, and daylight savings time meant that I would be on the trail an hour earlier than usual. I logged 25 species this morning, but all except one were usual permanent, winter, or early spring species. There was a lot of avian activity, and the birds were singing to the warm sunshine. The Tree Swallows buzzed me when I hiked near to one of their nest boxes, and they had their typical mid-air debates.
At 9:41 EDT, I entered the bog area from the south end, and as soon as I crossed the small wooden path bridge, a bird flew up right in front of me, headed out through the north end of the bog, and circled back into the bog and settled in deep vegetation in the southwest end of the bog area. I could not relocate it.
I did get a quick, but very good look at it. The bird was about the size of a pigeon, but perhaps a bit smaller, and much stockier. Its back was strongly patterned with black and deep rufous brown, with a few white flecks. As it flew away, it briefly turned its head part way to look at me, and I saw a long, slightly down-curved, yellow bill. Had to be either a King Rail or a Virginia Rail. Based on its size, I would go with Virginia Rail. They are rare birds here, and usually don't appear until mid-April. I was only able to get one poor photo of it as it flew away from me.
Tree Swallows
Tree Swallows
Field Sparrow
Eastern Bluebird
Field Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Virginia Rail
This morning's list (25 species):
Tree Swallow Northern Cardinal American Crow Rock Pigeon Eastern Meadowlark Virginia Rail | White-throated Sparrow Field Sparrow Song Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Eastern Phoebe Carolina Wren Blue Jay Starling Red-winged Blackbird Yellow-rumped Warbler Red-bellied Woodpecker Canada Goose Turkey Vulture Carolina Chickadee Tufted Titmouse |