Sora and Barn Swallow

 

April 14th

          We were a little bit crazy this morning.  I am writing this in the car while Mike is driving. We are on our way to New Jersey to spend Passover with Becky and Scott.  It is a 560 mile trip.  So, what did we do this morning?  The car was packed, and we were ready to go by 6:30am so we decided to make a couple of quick stops before getting on the turnpike.  Hey, it’s my birthday today so I guess I can be a little nuts.

          We arrived at Irwin Prairie at dawn and were fortunate to hear a Sora calling.  The call is a plaintive descending whinny given by both sexes.  A Sora is a secretive gray and brown rail with a bright yellow bill and a black mask.  They are found in freshwater marshes and are more often heard rather than seen.

          Next, we stopped at Sandhill Crane Wetlands and saw several Barn Swallows flying around.  They have recently returned from their wintering grounds in Central and South America.  No photos today.  (2 new species, total 155)

Sora

Barn Swallow    

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