I visited Wylie Slough this morning hoping for a
new shorebird for the year. Lots of both Greater
and Lesser Yellowlegs, a single dowitcher and a
couple of Killdeer - nothing else.

But some fabulous consolation prizes. I started
along the path that heads west from the northwest
parking area. Immediately a dark falcon flew in.
It perched only briefly and appeared to be an
immature Merlin. Earlier on the road in I had two
Kestrels. That is where I first saw the
shorebirds referenced above. About 10 minutes
later all of the shorebirds and the many mallards
all took flight in a panic. This time it was a
dark Peregrine Falcon. A three falcon day is
pretty cool. I also had what I believe was a
family group of 4 Eastern Kingbirds chattering and
a definite family group of 3 Downy Woodpeckers
plus a few "others". I heard at least two and
possibly 3 or even 4 Virginia Rails along the path
but short playbacks got brief responses but no
visuals.

I then walked over towards the southeast parking
area. The same shorebirds were seen/heard
including a small flock of LEYE that were blocked
from the other vantage point. I also heard a very
active Willow Flycatcher repeating its Fitz Bew
call frequently. Again I heard a Virginia Rail
seeming very close. I played a variety of calls
and got VERY interested birds - at least 4 and
maybe 5 or 6 included some more single note
"shriek" like calls that I had not heard before.
Possibly from young birds?

One rail came briefly out into the open and then
retreated. A few minutes later another popped out
but again only for a second...very close. I
remained still and was rewarded with a completely
in the open Virginia Rail with the sun perfectly
behind me for some photos. I saw another bird
skitter across an opening and moved to a different
vantage spot where I could see only movement
behind the reeds. This bird looked much paler and
indeed it turned out to be a Sora. It hid for a
minute or so and then came completely out into the
open - where it remained for maybe 15 minutes. I
have NEVER seen a Sora in the open for more than a
few seconds before. It never called. I never
played ... simply enjoyed one of the best
consolation prizes ever. In the same area was a
pale yellowish green warbler which I believe to be
a female Common Yellowthroat,

Pictures at
https://picasaweb.google.com/103072475474183849815/WylieSloughAugust62015?authkey=Gv1sRgCPPvu7KV-OPZ_wE

--
Blair Bernson
Edmondss