Alas there were already Birders there when I arrived before 8 AM. One said he arrived just after 7 AM.
I ended up hanging around the pond, gossiping and taking the occasional photo of a speeding Virginia Rail.
The person there before me said that the Rails were nest building. I looked and indeed, saw one or more gathering material probably for a nest and carrying it from one location to another in the reeds.
A heavily obscured photo as once again, the Rails did not cooperate with me.
Later this person said he had seen a Rail carrying a chick on its back under its wings last year in the same area. I've never even seen a Rail chick. Maybe this year.
The Rails were vociferous and one of the nesting Rails walked over to a different area and proceeded to attack another Rail, with both taking to the air briefly before disappearing into the reeds.
Later we watched them foraging. We would see a black blur shoot across an open area, then disappear. Finally, though, luck blessed me and I watched a Rail come out of the undergrowth and grab a worm. The worm, though, was uncooperative and wrapped itself around a stalk, causing the Rail to slow down enough for me to get some photos.
Like this from about 5 meters away:
And while talking I noticed a small bird flying amongst the reeds. I wondered if it were a Marsh Wren. It seemed to have some yellow colouring on it. While I was watching a nearby RW Blackbird went after it. It flew a little towards me and landed. My first Common Yellowthroat of the year. He wasn't singing, but he had that perky look and a fresh coat of Spring colouring.
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