A Clapper Rail has been present for the past three days in our marsh, often calling loudly and coming very close to the opening where water flows through the marsh but never poking its head out to be seen. It could, I suppose, be a (closely-related) King Rail which has appeared in our marsh a few times over the years. But the persistent kek call and the obvious appeal of a salt marsh all make Clapper the most likely choice! Clappers nest in the marshes on the south side of the bay and, if I am not mistaken, there was a nest this year in the Pine Neck marsh.
There are notable numbers of American Redstarts all over the property, easily picked out in the canopy by their lively movements, tail flicking and fast chases. Common Yellowthroats, Yellow Warbler and Northern Waterthrush are still showing along with Hairy Woodpecker and Green Herons. A few swallows dot the skies here and there -- mostly Tree Swallows with a handful of Purple Martins and an occasional Barn Swallow. A notable feature of this summer's activity has been the presence of White-breasted Nuthatches which have probably bred (and whose offspring are scattered around, hard to see but easily identifiable by sound). I think this is the first time that this species has been with us all summer.
In my list of large butterflies seen this summer, I neglected to mention the pair of look-a-likes: the Spicebush Swallowtail and the Red-spotted Purple. Both are mimics of the Pipevine Swallow which, like the Monarch, is poisonous or noxious to predators.
Eric Salzman
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