Jenny Gaden and I visited a small wooded marsh in northeast Albemarle
County this morning. As we neared the marsh, we immediately heard the
distinctive and rapid cu-cu-cu of a Least Bittern. It seemed to be
calling from a low alder branch. This marsh is made up of stands of
bulrushes and alders which make it very difficult to see into when
standing at the edge. A light canoe or collapsible boat would be a
much better way of getting into the marsh and seeing the bird. As we
poked about the edges of the marsh, we heard and saw an Alder
Flycatcher. A Least Bittern was last recorded at this marsh in 1978.
It would be nice to think it has been nesting there since, but going
unobserved. Should anyone be interested in a visit to the site, let
me know. Stauffer Miller
