John Confer's story of his dog catching a Yellow Rail was amazing. His
description of the bird was detailed, but just the circumstances alone
probably would have convinced me of the identification. A bird caught by a
dog running along in a hayfield. That's just a perfect Yellow Rail
story. It's almost as good (if not as heartbreaking) as the Yellow Rail in
the planter at East Hill Plaza all day in April 2004. Yellow Rails just do
this kind of thing.
I did go to Level Green yesterday and walked around in the fields. I
didn't see any rails, but the habitat looked good. In fact, there was a
little patch of sedge and grass just west of the parking area that looked
just like their breeding habitat. As I was walking around the fields I was
thinking about how many Yellow Rails pass through our area every
year. Probably lots. And you have to be lucky to get a glimpse.
It so happens that I have photographs of a Yellow Rail in the hand, if John
wants to compare. I caught the first Yellow Rail I ever saw by hand as it
walked at my feet. I have a few photographs at
http://picasaweb.google.com/KevinJ.McGowan/OldGoodBirds. Back in the late
1970s I had a friend working on Yellow Rails in Seney National Wildlife
Refuge in the upper peninsula of Michigan. In the second year of the study
he used a very well-trained Brittany spaniel to find nests, and I believe
she caught a dozen individuals for him. Oddly, I was just thinking of that
dog and her Yellow Rail abilities about 10 minutes before getting the call
about the rail yesterday!
Cheers,
Kevin
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