Expect the Unexpected at Horicon NWR

Becky and I woke up with the birds this morning and headed up to Horicon National Wildlife Refuge to take advantage of the stunningly beautiful weather. Upon arrival, we were awed at the number of Great Egrets in the calm water along highway 49 – there must have been well over a hundred of them. Mingled in were several American White Pelicans and Great Blue Herons. Black Terns were zipping overhead and chattering. Ruddy Ducks, Pied-billed Grebes and American Coots paddled and dove. Marsh Wrens and Common Yellowthroats kept the cattails in motion. That's the great thing about Horicon, there's so much to take in that it's sensory overload for birders...or anybody, really!

And then there were the shorebirds! Scoping along the edges and mudflats yielded several sandpiper species, including Short-billed Dowitchers, Stilt Sandpiper and Baird’s Sandpiper. But the grand prize of the morning came when we met up with the Riveredge Bird Club field trip at the pump house – they found a King Rail with young foraging along the edge in good light! It was especially nice to have several Virginia Rail out in the open near the King Rail for size comparison. Though the birds were too far away for digiscoping, we were still able to get great looks at what was a life bird for both of us!

I suppose I should have attempted a photograph for documentation purposes, but I guess I'm a little spoiled by past rail encounters when I’ve been able to get within 20 feet. The following Virginia Rail images were taken a few years ago at Horicon NWR - an experience Becky and I will never forget. While we were sitting on the boardwalk at the end of the auto-loop, an American Coot appeared from the cattails and checked us out. Then just moments later it was joined by a lone Sora. The two birds foraged in our presence for a little while but eventually went out of sight into the dense cattail cover.



Then it happened…

In an excitedly hushed voice Becky got my attention, "Mike, Mike! Look!"



I could barely believe what we were witnessing...a Virginia Rail pair walked right up to us – and I mean within just a few feet! I actually had to back away (slowly and carefully) on the boardwalk in order to digiscope them. Becky remained and enjoyed her front row seat.

The rails were not alarmed and seemed uncharacteristically at ease with our unusually close presence. Looking like he thought he was all that (well, he really was), the male often displayed by raising his wings. He seemed pretty thrilled when finding a bit of food to bring over to his mate, interrupting her incessant preening. She graciously accepted every meal he brought her.





It wasn't planned, nor were the birds chased. It was one of those delightful moments of being in right place at the right time with the camera ready to go. Maybe there will be a similar King Rail experience in the future...but if not, well, that's alright.

All images © 2006 Mike McDowell