another rail call

Another mysterious rail call.

I was down at the marsh before dawn when a rail called something like the following: Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap (even) and then something similar but dropping in pitch. The tide was still fairly high and there was just so far that I could slosh around and of course I saw nothing. After waiting a while, I retreated to higher ground and heard the pattern once again, this time from a distance. This was not a Clapper Rail (although I suppose King Rail would be a possibility).

Sunrise was very striking as the fiery ball came up in a narrow opening below a heavy cloud cover. This threw an unreal reddish/orange light on the vegetation and cast the siskins and goldfinches (they were popping up all over the place) in lurid colors; it was like something a mad lighting designer might come up with. But it wasn't long before the sun vanished behind a thick layer of overcast.

Add a couple of species to the list of possible winter birds (see yesterday's blog). Small flocks of Dark-eyed Juncos and Golden-crowned Kinglets showed up this morning. Royal Terns continue to populate the creek. Now that Aldrich Boat Yard has pulled in all their boats (in advance of the predicted storms?) and even pulled up the floating docks, the terns are using the poles -- mostly occupied by gulls and cormorants until now -- as roosting places.

Eric Salzman