ML30661021

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In-hand

Observation details

Notes: We left Detroit around 1 p.m. and arrived at Seney National Wildlife Refuge around 7:50 p.m. The Whitefish Point Observatory field trip for Yellow Rail was to start at 8:30 p.m. so we did the auto trail. . . . I heard a Yellow Rail persistently calling very close to the road. I saw a pair of the recently released (a bad idea) Trumpeter Swans fly by. Actually the trip really did not get going until 9:45 p.m. We drove out M-77 approximately across from the Wigwam picnic area. There were two leaders, Dave Evers being one. Al Valentine was on the trip. We had to wade through water almost up to your knees at time. The marsh had few bushes to my surprise. A guy rhythmically tapped on a couple of stones and after 15 minutes we got a response around 10;15 p.m. We [sic] flashlights blazing on it, a Yellow Rail walked in across the mostly dead marsh vegetation, right to our feet. It seemed more curious than agitated as it did not call as it came in. Tiny bird. . . . .It stood next to someone's boots and started to preen. Mind blowing views for what is viewed as one of North America's most difficult birds to see. Dave Evers then caught it with a butterfly net and then banded the bird. We left and drove to Paradise. It was still warm when we went to bed at 12:30 a.m.

Technical information

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2.01 MB