Sora

Headed out to Reifel this morning to help with the Marshnotes newsletter mailing. Once that was finished the tide was high, so I headed out to the west field for look before leaving. I was hoping for a Stilt Sandpiper, but no such luck.

Instead were these two Wilson’s Phalarope along with two Red-necked Phalarope. While watching the Phalarope I could hear some Sora chattering away in the reeds.

To make my afternoon one decided to pop out into the open,

… and wander around stretching briefly before disappearing back amongst the reeds.

Sora & Rail

A breezy, but pleasant afternoon at Reifel today. A recent highlight was a White-faced Ibis seen on Friday. It was not reported until Saturday and has not been seen since. The Great Egret continues to visit the sanctuary, just not when I am there with my camera. It was fairly quiet on the birding front with the days entertainment happening around the tower.

A couple of Sora were showing well again today.

First up was this adult bird.

Not wanting to be outdone,

… this Virginia Rail also started foraging in view along the edge of the reeds.

This juvenile Sora was also active in the area with the three occasionally chasing each around. The Sora and Rail were also interacting with the Red-winged Blackbirds,

… which were also busy in the reeds and water. Fun times at the tower today.

Sora

There was not much happening at Reifel this afternoon, so I stopped for a while at the base of the tower. The plan was to try and get the Blackbirds on the cattails. While waiting something caught my attention along the edge of the reeds.

A juvenile Sora had come out into the open. Turns out there were actually two of them,

… and they were busy popping in and out of view going back and forth.

As luck would have it, one of them actually made its way closer to the tower and provided some great photo opportunities.