Fellow birders,
I and several other birders were fortunate to see the
previously-reported Sora and Virgina Rail at Huntley Meadows Park early this
morning. Seeing the then-silent Sora required some luck, while seeing the
Virginia Rail was more about perseverance in following this
incessantly-calling bird as it moved amazingly quickly over relatively long
distances in the area framed by the boardwalk without a hint of moving
vegetation. Several Wilson's Snipe also were present in the area occupied
by the rails, and Greater Yellowlegs were seen and heard in flight. Other
highlights for me during this quick, targeted visit included a pair of
Blue-winged Teal and a single Great Egret with the lime green lores and eye
ring of the breeding adult. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were flittering and
calling at the beginning of the boardwalk as I left the park.
Gerry Hawkins
Arlington, VA
