Clapper Rail, Everybody. Everybody, Clapper Rail!

There are few things more annoying than hearing a bird you know is right in front of you, yet you are unable to find and see it! Moving into an apartment adjacent to a marsh, I was prepared to live the rest of my time here with this annoying feeling always lingering. Why, you ask? It's those darn Clapper Rails! On many days, at just about any time of day, I will hear that clap, clap, clap, clap, clap. Of course, from my apartment, it's expected that we would not be able to see them skulking in the marsh. 

Great Egret

Gull-billed Tern

But even when we'd venture out into the marsh and would be probably within feet of at least one Clapper Rail, but probably several, we'd hear that distinctive call, but they were nowhere to be found. They seem to be good voice-throwers, or just sneaky and fast movers because as soon as we thought we had pinpointed the exact location, the call would be coming from somewhere else.

Panorama of Skimmer skimming and catching a fish

Well, we have finally gained some assurance that Clapper Rails are indeed out there and we are not just hearing things. While I was working last weekend, Nick had gone scouting for some shorebirds at a boat ramp area nearby that has some excellent mud flats at low tide. Amongst the decent variety of birds he saw out there, including Dunlin, Black-necked Stilts, Gull-billed terns, and Skimmers, he also got a great look at none other than a Clapper Rail. When I called him on my way home from work, he said, "You're going to hate me" as he gently let me know that he got great looks at this secretive bird who has not been on our visual list for the year.

Ta Da! The elusive Clapper Rail!

Clapper Rail with a crabby snack

Struggling to keep a hold of that little crab

I must admit that I was a bit disappointed that I missed this sighting although I was excited for Nick to see one. But since I had the next 2 days off, I had a chance to go out on my own and see for myself if I could have any luck at the boat ramp. So this past Tuesday, I headed down to the area, and before I walked all the way down the walkway, there was a Clapper Rail staring me right in the face. I ran back to my car to grab my camera, and was relieved to find that he was still out there upon my return. And boy, did he give me a show! Not only did he come out fairly close (within 10 feet), but he also showed off his clapping-sound-making skills AND his feeding skills for at least 10 minutes or so, which is an epic amount of time to view a secretive rail. 

The Clapper Rail out and about

 

Clapper Rail making that clapping sound. The sun shines for just a second!

(You will have to forgive the shakey quality of the video. I must have been too excited to keep my hands still while trying to figure out how to use the video function on my DSLR for the first time!)

I even saw another one at one point on the other side of the boat ramp. This one may have been a juvenile as it appeared to have a browner, fuzzier wash all over and was making a different kind of sound.

Clapper Rail showing his skulking skills

Clapper Rail walking through the dead reeds

Clapper Rail puffed up

Victory was mine! And not only on this day, but later in the week, too, as Nick and I went to the boat ramp after he got out of work to enjoy the sights and sound of the mud flats at low tide. The Clapper Rail again came out in the open and let us really study him visually as he pranced around, calling aloud. He dashed in and out of the reeds, showing off why we have the term "skinny as a rail."

This is how I would usually picture seeing a Clapper Rail

Why did the Clapper Rail cross the road?...

To get to the other side, of course! ;-)

  

A Smattering of Southeastern Specialties

A few weeks ago, in late April, we and a dozen or so other birders from the local Audubon headed to Webb Wildlife Management Area in Hampton County, SC. With a good mix of habitats, the trip promised some fantastic birding, including specialties of long leaf pine forests, like Bachman's Sparrows and Red-cockaded Woodpeckers.

I was particularly excited for the Bachman's Sparrows. Although they're year-round residents of coastal Georgia and South Carolina, you'd never know it. Notoriously difficult to find outside of breeding season, these secretive birds normally stay silent and hidden in understory. But our group was fortunate in having visited at just the right time of year, and everybody was afforded excellent, open looks of the males singing their clear and melodious song. 

Bachman's Sparrow

 

Bachman's Sparrow

Bachman's Sparrow with a tasty (for him) morsel

Singing Bachman's Sparrow

Red-cockaded Woodpecker, another target species for the day, took a little more patience to locate, but we were handsomely rewarded in finding a mated pair make repeated trips to their nesting cavity. The cavity was just beside the road, and we could hear the nestlings' begging call each time a parent left to forage more grubs. The experience was more than we could have hoped for, and it was encouraging to see evidence of this species recovering with the help of wildlife management. 

Red-cockaded Woodpecker

Red-cockaded Woodpecker on the way into the nesting cavity

Both members of a successfully mated Red-cockaded Woodpecker pair

We also stopped in on a small rookery, where twenty or so Little Blue Herons were safeguarding the fruits of a successful breeding season. Occasionally, one would briefly move off of their nest, letting us see their aqua blue eggs or (snow-white) egg-sized chicks. The rookery was situated within a small pond, where we were also treated to Green Herons, Purple Gallinules, Blue-winged Teal and others. 

Little Blue Heron rookery. You can just make out the blue eggs in the nest

Great Blue Heron with an good-sized eel

Purple Gallinule

Purple Gallinule

At one especially noteworthy spot, a covey of Bobwhites flushed as we exited our cars. Although right out in the open, they were perfectly invisible until they were already in the air, and heading toward a strip of dense understory, never to be seen again. We also managed a pair Yellow-breasted Chats, which at one point shared a tree with a Bachman's Sparrow! Seeing these skulkers out in the open together nearly sent me into a swoon, but I pulled through as best I could. 

Yellow-breasted Chat - I've been wanting to see one of these for a long while

Other notable birds for the day included Prothonotary Warblers, Blue Grosbeaks, Orchard Orioles, and Indigo and Painted Buntings. While we tallied an impressive number of species, there were noticeably few passing migrants. Taken together with a possible (heard) Blackpoll Warbler, it seemed as though we were seeing the tail-end of migration. But with residents like these, who needs migrants! 

The ol' "Swamp Canary" - Prothonotary Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler

Indigo Bunting

Afterwards, some of us stopped in at Millstone Landing (in Jasper County) to check for raptors. We didn't have to wait long before a swarm of kites appeared in the distance, including 2 Swallow-tailed, and over 30(!) Mississippi. They gradually moved farther North along the Savannah River, giving us a better and better view as they flew closer, while hawking insects in mid-air. 

Carolina Chickadee with lunch

Finally, we ended our (very) long day with a quick trip through the driving trail at the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge. Our aim was locating migrating Bobolinks, which we found immediately on entering the refuge, congregating in the rice fields. We heard them on their way south last autumn, when we were living in Florida. Their distinctive "plink!" called out from plots of tall grasses, but we never managed to lay eyes on them. Now, they were out in abundance, and we were able to watch the (mostly male) blackbirds to our hearts' content. It was a terrific way to end a truly awesome field trip and an unforgettable (and exhausting) day of birding.

Bobolink

Bobolink

Bobolinks

Featured Feathered Friend: Baby Edition! - Green Heron

This FFF features a face that only a mother could love. Here we have a darling little Green Heron fledgling. We found this little guy right outside of our old apartment in Boca Raton, FL in mid-May 2009. We were lucky to have a man-made pond there that attracted a number of herons and egrets, Green Herons being no exception. Often when we'd walk by, we'd spook one that we may not have even seen until he took flight.

Green Heron fledgling

Showing off his stubby wing feathers

Green herons are quite a funny heron. The first one we saw was in the typical crouched position with his neck tucked in. And the next time we saw one, we saw it with its neck fully extended, and we were astonished! "Could this be the same bird?!?!" we wondered. And we quickly found out that it was, and we've been entertained by this funny little heron ever since.

He kept falling asleep... Awww... 

What a fuzzball!

This little fuzzball here was all on his own, it appeared, when we found him. I recall it being a bit breezy, and he was just clinging on to dear life onto the delicate branches of this bush. But he held on strong even though he looked so fragile. We watched him for what seemed like an hour, just mesmerized by this almost so-ugly-he's-cute baby. This may have been one of the first baby birds we encountered after becoming birders.

Showing off the typical Green Heron stance

HELLLOOOO!!!

The last photo is of another baby Green Heron that seemed to have a little more gusto as he was venturing out on his own and strutting about, feeling that stretch in his neck! We didn't relocate these fledglings afterwards, but I'm sure they stuck around the pond, stealthily lurking about as Green Herons do.

Sweetness

Strutting his stuff!

Review: The First 70

I'd like to draw your attention to a short documentary that deserves the support of everybody who recognizes the importance of shared public space, and of preserving access to every kind of natural and historical treasure. The film, called The First 70, follows the immediate aftermath of California's appalling decision last year to close a quarter of their 278 state parks.

The film follows three young adults who traveled up and down California documenting the impact that these closures would have on individuals and their communities, as well as the likely fate of these parks once there's no longer anybody taking care of them. They also convey effectively why the decision was shamefully short-sighted, and unlikely to save the state any money whatsoever.

Maureen and I recently had the good fortune to watch the film in its entirety, but most screenings are taking place in California. Nevertheless, I recommend tracking it down, if you can. It's an important and beautifully shot film, which leaves plenty to be hopeful for. You can watch the trailer HERE.

Even if you're not in California, an important lesson of the film is the need to stay vigilant about the situation of our public spaces everywhere. Don't wait to act until it's too late. Let your state and local politicians know that it's in everybody's interest to keep these resources available and maintained at all times, no matter the political or economic climate we happen to find ourselves in.

Watch the trailer here

Visit the website here

Just a Wee Bit O' Birding in Atlanta

A few of weeks ago, we celebrated our 6-year anniversary by taking a little weekend getaway to Atlanta, which is only about a 3 1/2 hour drive. But what a difference this distance can make to birding. Being more north and west of Savannah and away from the coast, you can have a whole host of birds that you may not get in coastal Georgia. Although our trip was really a touristy non-birding trip, we still managed to squeeze in some birding when we weren't walking around a zoo or an aquarium or eating fabulous food!

A non-caged animal at the zoo - a Silver-spotted Skipper.

Red-spotted Purple seen in Grant Park

Underside of a Red-spotted Purple

Our first day in Atlanta was spent at the zoo, which had some great animals (and baby animals), including pandas, gorillas, and orangutans. They also had a great aviary exhibit where you can walk along a boardwalk within a treehouse-like enclosure with spectacular, colorful, exotic birds flying and singing all about. And partly what makes this zoo so great is that it is situated in gorgeous Grant Park. Grant Park is an absolutely beautiful space. It's a very large park with winding trails that go through small hills of grass and large trees. Having lived in flat areas most of my life, it was a nice change of pace to walk amongst this rolling greenery.

Guira Cuckoos of South America and a Blue-breasted Kingfisher from tropical West Africa were some highlights of the zoo's aviary.

The striking King Vulture (Central and South America)

When we left the zoo about 5pm, there was still plenty of light out which left us some time to walk around and enjoy the park and check out any bird activity. We were pleasantly surprised by the number of Red-headed Woodpeckers that were all about! We had some of our best views of these vibrant woodpeckers. And a white-breasted nuthatch gave us a nice little show of his creeping behavior.

Red-headed Woodpecker

White-breasted Nuthatch

The next day we spent at the Georgia Aquarium, where we saw their truly amazing whale sharks (my favorite fish, I think), and we had some great close encounters with African penguins! The aquarium also happens to be right across from Centennial Olympic Park. Through the Georgia birding listserv, we had read that there can be some good birding within this very urban park. There were even sightings of a Red-crested Cardinal, which was believed to be an escapee. Unfortunately, we didn't see that bird, but we were treated to a couple of fledglings, including a little Mockingbird and a Robin following its parent.

Me within the plexiglass tube that gets you right next to the African Penguins!

Nick amongst the African Penguins

Mockingbird fledgling

Hungry Robin chick following its parent

Our last day was a "free" day, so we decided to drive a little out of the way to check out Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Park. This is supposed to be one of THE hot spots in the Atlanta area for migrants, including one of our target birds, the Cerulean Warbler. Alas, we didn't see the coveted warbler. We tagged along with some top birders that we ran into at the park, some of whom we met during the Black-headed Gull bonanza. They were kind enough to show us around the area, as well as show us how much we still have to learn about bird calls. I swear they all had superhuman hearing. But they were all so patient with us and very willing to give us pointers.

Male Eastern Towhee

If you look closely, you'll see the tiny Eastern Towhee fledgling

Male Summer Tanager

They said it was one of the slowest days in terms of birding as we didn't seem to find many warblers or other migrants. But Nick and I couldn't really feel bad at all as we enjoyed the beautiful scenery and saw 35 species, including our first ever male Summer Tanager, who was singing so lovely, as well as two male Scarlet Tanagers. We had our FOTS (First of the Season) Ruby-throated Hummingbird and Indigo Bunting. We also found that the Eastern Towhees were not as shy here. One was giving a little performance (and maybe checking himself out) on a truck's side mirror. Additionally, we had the privilege of seeing a mommy Eastern Towhee feeding her very freshly fledged chick. And right as we were leaving, we got to witness a little bit of a live cannon firing and reenactment, hence demonstrating why this is called a battlefield park. This may have been a slow day at Kennesaw, where they can find over 20 species of warbler in a day, but we still left there very happy. We will surely be back!

View from on the way to the top of Kennesaw Mountain

Cannon firing demonstration