Hi Dennis and Tweeters,

A couple of days ago I posted an RFI for Virginia Rails and got a response
from Dennis Duffy (also responses from Gary Bletsch and Vivian Gross).
Thanks for the quick response that Tweeters is so good for!!! Dennis's
sounded the most promising, so, off we went this AM.

First, the directions were excellent and we went straight there. Second,
Edmonds Marsh is a little gem and third, it must be the Virginia Rail
headquarters of the world! We only have a very short segment of tape with
Virginia Rail and on the second playing one exploded from almost under the
boardwalk at our feet and flew out across the small pond in front of us.
Then several adults and trailing young scooted back and forth in front of us
like rats in the marsh grasses. Several territorial skirmishes seemed to
follow with a nuber of clear views and a number of times 5 or 6 could be
tracked moving through the grass in various locations at the same time.

We were joined by a fellow who goes past the marsh regularly who told us
that he has only seen people at the marsh a couple of times over the past
year. Obviously curious, we introduced him to birding, played the tape, and
had him watching rat-birds scooting though the grass! Think that he may
even buy a bird book.

Before leaving, we tried the tape at the entrance platform in the tall
cattails thinking that it would be unlikely to get a response or see much
there. Wrong again! Immediate response and better views than in the
shorter grasses by the water. Total count -- 12, 15 or 20 and quite
possibly more!

Also, tried for Sora but got absolutely no response but I'll bet they are
there.

Returned home via Highway 18 and Tiger Mountain after Polish Dogs at Costco
and tried for Pygmy Owl. Too hot, but brought in Red-eyed Vireo, Western
Tanager, Swainson's Thrush and a youngish Black-throated Gray Warbler.

Tomorrow -- Elaine wants to add Ptarmigan to her list!! Any last minute
updates will be appreciated for those that saw them today.

Many thanks,

Bob and Elaine Taylor
Orting, WA