Hi,
My husband and I saw the bird on Saturday morning, about 10 AM, I think.
It was feeding below the large broken tree limb at the far end, away from
the parking lot side. You could see it best from the grassy area closest to
the parking lot (which also didn't disturb it in any way). You definitely
needed to look with binoculars to pick it out in the shade.
What I found especially fascinating was the interest in the Purple
Gallinule by other birds. First a grackle, then a young robin, were watching
it
from the dead tree limb. Each did this for several minutes, changing
position as necessary as the gallinule kept moving around.
It almost seemed as if they knew this bird didn't belong there, or they
were fascinated by its ability to walk in the water. But it's more likely, I
guess, that they wanted to know what it was eating. It certainly seemed
to be doing well! It looked quite contented, even preening for several
moments at one point.
I don't recall anyone commenting on seeing birds watching the gallinule or
writing anything much about the gallinule's behavior. I'd be interested
in knowing if anyone else made any interesting observations.
Thanks!
Sincerely,
Marlene
Marlene A. Condon
Author/Photographer, The Nature-friendly Garden: Creating a Backyard Haven
for Plants, Wildlife, and People (Stackpole Books)
Syndicated Columnist, Bay Journal News Service
Crozet, VA 22932-2204
_www.marlenecondon.com_ (http://www.marlenecondon.com)
marlenecondon@xxxxxxx
In a message dated 6/8/2014 9:04:11 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
DSaum@xxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
I looked for the Purple Gallinule in Waynesboro, VA at Loth Springs at 7AM
Friday and did not see it. But the grass around the springs was freshly
mowed by the city. Perhaps the mowing scared it away?
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