ML608263765

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

The first Sora was flushed at 3:15 P.M. from the Phragmites bank just upstream of West Cove #2. It was flushed by three River Otters surfacing alongside the river bank. Photographs confirm the identity of this bird as Sora, flushed as I was trying to get photos of the otters. The otters had been barking several times their objections to my presence. I shot five photos of the flushed bird rather than trying to get it in binoculars during the few seconds it was in view. In my initial post of this bird, my brain told me that it had to be a Least Bittern. Photos confirm that it was a "relatively long winged, long tailed" Sora. Interestingly, this is the first time I've "observed" a Sora in flight. The flight of this bird was low, linear, and fast as it disappeared back into the Phragmites. The second Sora was observed and photographed for several minutes near the mouth of Mill Creek. This Sora was brought into view by a played Sora tape. It walked into view below some overhanging Spartina alterniflora and remained in view for several photos. Later, it reappeared by coming out of a tunnel in the Spartina, affording binocular views but preventing further photos by obstructing vegetation. No vocalizations were heard. These two Soras most likely are post-breeding birds utilizing the Herring River Estuary. Both Soras appear to be juveniles. All photos were taken from the canoe.

Technical information

Model

NIKON D850

ISO

5600

Focal length

500 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/5.6

Shutter speed

1/3200 sec

Dimensions

2104 pixels x 1403 pixels

Original file size

854.3 KB