Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola)

Summary

• Status in VT: Increased by 36% (28 to 38 blocks). Greatest increases in Northern Green Mountains and Southern Vermont Piedmont.
• Data from other research: VT Marsh Bird Survey (1996 – 2008): average of 0.3 to 1.2 birds per survey station in 4 Champlain Valley marsh systems. Most abundant of the 7 species surveyed.
• Conservation status: State rank S4B
• Other atlases: NY: 21%; PA: 29%; ON: 72%
• VT’s role in North American range: VT is within the core of the range.
• Causes of change since first Atlas: More frequent use of recorded calls in second Atlas to elicit responses (?).
• Management/Monitoring recommendations: Use standardized surveys in Vermont’s marsh systems to track abundance.

First Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas (1976-1981)

Species Account

Second Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas (2003 – 2007)

Change in Distribution

Links

Vermont eBird

Encyclopedia of Life

All About Birds