Three At Once!

  This morning's hike around the hillside proved to be quite interesting indeed!  While the initial hike turned up nothing of interest other than a few birds, a couple of noisy squirrels and a feral cat, the return trek caused me a bit of excitement.  On a whim, I returned to the pier where the hikes always begin.  On the first visit, all was quiet.  Nary a critter could be seen.  Not even the pelicans were hanging around the pier as they usually do.  It was almost too quiet!  The return visit was a bit more happy.  Three birds were feeding on the mudflats.  While three birds may not seem to be earth-shaking news, it was the fact that they were three different types of birds that thrilled me.  Two rails and a small heron were stalking minnows that were stranded by the low tide.  Still. two rails and a heron would not thrill most folks but it did me.

  The heron was a little Green Heron.  This bird is one of the smartest birds on the Bayou.  The bird actually fishes for its breakfast.  The Green Heron will catch a minnow, fiddler crab or even just a small piece of debris and use it as bait.  When minnows gather around the seemingly innocuous feast, the bird catches its fill.  The heron will often toss the bait up and down to attract minnows.  That is one intelligent bird!

  Of the other two, one was a Virginia Rail.  This is one of the smallest rails.  They are much like other rails as they are secretive birds that prefer life in the marshes.  Virginia Rails have special feathers that resist wear and tear from the marsh grass.  The males build several "dummy" nests before the hen settles on one for nesting.  These nests sit on built up platforms of marsh grass that protect them from flooding in high tide. The nests are camouflaged to keep them from being raided from above. The chicks are covered with soft black down until their true feathers come in.  As is the habit of most rails, the chicks are fed by both parents until age of one week.  Then the brood is divided in half.  Each parent will then take full care of their half of the brood.

  The other rail, was a Clapper Rail.  The Clapper Rail is a large rail that can more often be heard than seen.  The clattering calls echo through the Bayou as the rails call to their mates or little ones.  Clapper Rails nest in the marsh and the eggs are often covered by high tides.  Even so, the eggs are still capable of hatching.  Sometimes after the eggs hatch, the parent birds will build a temporary floating nest to hold their brood. The Clapper Rail is a secretive bird that would rather hide in the marshes than be out in the open mudflats.  

  While the finding of three birds may fail to be exciting to most folks, I was exhilarated with the find. My hike ended with a twenty minute watching of these birds.  All three benefited from the Green Heron's fishing skills and each filled their bellies with minnows.  The hike can be considered a success!