A King Rail was spotted along the causeway on May 7. It was seen throughout this past week, including again on May 14. From a May 8 posting to the TNA message board: "KING RAIL - seen last night & early this morning. location: causeway/ Marsh area, middle pull-off (white gravel), east side,(looking towards power plant), nice looks of bird walking on dike. Seen by several people with a birding group."
Magee causeway King Rail
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Comments ...
Not just one but two King Rails were seen along the causeway on May 18 and/or 19 and since then. A male and female are hanging out together.
May 21 pics of both posted to the TNA message board by local photographer Brian Zwiebel. Below in italics are excerpts of Brian's May 21 message that he posted to the TNA message board:
"This morning I decided to try for the King Rails at Magee Marsh. Quite a crowd had gathered when someone came by and reported a Kirtland's Warbler at the west boardwalk entrance (never did see this bird)"
"All but a few rail hopefuls left to go for the Kirtland's. A few minutes later a Virginia Rail flushed from just below us and flew across the canal. A short time later the show really got started when the male King Rail came into close view. Two minutes later the female King Rail followed in his foot steps."
"Above is the male King Rail. Note the rich rusty brown well up the neck and the darker face. Below is the female. A little less vibrant on the neck and the face is more pale."
"Also, the male has a much more booming voice during his "grunt" call than does the female. Her's is more reminiscent of Virginia Rail, maybe slightly louder. The male King Rail's grunt call is almost startling when you hear it at close range."
May 15 TNA report:
"1. KING - still being seen along the edge of the road on the causeway. (Area of main road that goes through the marsh wetlands before the parking lots and boardwalk.) Many birders are getting to see this bird."
posted by jr on May 16, 2006 at 01:16:52 pm #