Rising to the bait of interesting final experiences of seldom seen birds,
I recall a visit to the marshes of Palo Alto CA several years ago to
witness the highest tide of the year that was to flood the reeds, which
exposes all of the rails (clapper, Virginia, and black) to the delight of
the observers. There were several egrets and herons also in attendence.
One particular great egret quickly bolted down a small black smudge of a
bird that it was stalking. Yep, it was the late black rail. If that was
the only black rail to be seen that day, its passing would have been
mourned by all, but later the tide crept up to the margin of the marsh
and moved several rails right up to our feet.

Tom Weir
weir at u.washington.edu
(206)747-8480