Subject: Townsend and Virginia Rail
Date: Feb 24 19:45:23 2000
From: Neville Recording - songbird at saltspring.com


We have enjoyed Vicki Biltz description of Townsend's warbler at her feeder
recently. In January a Townsend was sighted on Vancouver Island in the Juan
de Fuca Strait. For the last three weeks I have been been tracking a
Townsend warbler on Salt Spring Island BC. Initially , it was calling from
the undergrowth on Island View Rd. This week it has been flying and calling
in the canopy for about 100 meters of the same road(Broadleaf Maple and
Cedar).

Early this morning I was surprised by the rhythmic calls of a Virginia Rail
at a small marsh , at the beginning of Sky Valley Rd. I have no idea whether
it wintered here, or is just returning. I had to go back again at lunchtime
to confirrm the call.

John and Heather Neville
songbird at saltspring.com
Salt Spring Island British Columbia
Home of the McFadden Creek Heronry
www.nevillerecording.com