Following up on Harry Glasgow's report for March 12 (but posted today) from
Huntley Meadows
"highlights were two Virginia Rails seen and heard in the central loop of the
boardwalk, ..."
I visited Huntley Meadows looking for the rails this evening, March 13, from
5:45 to 7:05pm.
I did not see or hear the rails, but I did observe two American Bitterns.
These are the first that I have seen in 2012, and may represent new arrivals at
Huntley Meadows.
About 6:30 one Bittern flew about 50 feet, before dropping back into the "marsh
grasses".
From 6:50 to 7:05 the two of them were standing near each other "on top" of
the grasses with the head and necks stretched skyward, as Bitterns like to do.
