A follow-up on this as I have had interest off list and have a new similar
observation to add.
I posted the Sora pictures and details to iNaturalist:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/47645759
I was talking with my neighbor about this Sora, she is not a birder, when
she casually mentioned that she had seen a dead bird last fall in the
driveway across the street from them. I asked for her to send me pictures.
It is a Virginia Rail! Possibly a 1st year (not 100% sure though as I have
had little opportunity to study rails). I posted this one (with her
permission) to iNaturalist as well:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/48781326
Seems quite strange to have 2 dead rails in a suburban neighborhood within
8 months of each other. We are at locally high elevation here (my neighbor
across the street's house drains into Difficult Run and thus the Potomac
north of DC, my house drains into Accotink Creek and thus the Potomac south
of DC. Not sure if this somehow plays into things. There is no immediately
obvious rail friendly habitat in the immediate vicinity. The nearest place
that I know of that both of these species have been seen/heard is Waples
Mill Park which is ~ 1.25 miles away as the rail flies.
Jeff Clark
Fairfax City, VA
https://ebird.org/profile/MzAyNDA/US-VA
On Thu, May 7, 2020 at 4:43 PM Jeff Clark <jeffc666@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Was out on a stroll around the neighborhood, west side of Fairfax City,
when I happened upon a dead bird in the gutter. At first I thought it a
Starling but quickly felt that was wrong. It looked looked like a rail?! I
flipped it over and yes indeed those legs and feet were definitely attached
to a rail. I am no expert on rails but it certainly seems like it was a
sora. I suppose it died en route to elsewhere. I have some pictures if
anyone is interested.
Otherwise lots of various warblers (highlight a blazingly bright
blackburnian), vireos, and the usual neighborhood birds.
Back to lurking and waiting for my next post in 10+ years from now.
Jeff Clark
Fairfax City, VA
