Vermont Rare Bird Reports 2024

Avery Fish

26 F. Cold, clear, calm.

Naked eye. Nikon D500. Kowa 8x42 BD II XD Wide-Angle Binoculars.

I have observed this species on 51 occasions, with this being the most recent. I have observed a total of 72 individuals.

It was a very calm, quiet day. Overall bird activity was low, and no species of birds were directly associating with the Virginia Rail. There was a weasel that seemed to be in pursuit of it.

The bird appeared to be feeding, or attempting to feed in the flowing water that was just below the beaver baffle. The bird was also hiding out in a lodge of sticks, and sometimes walking on top of it, and at times it was either hiding in the cattails, or visible in different sections of the marsh.

The bird was silent.

I spotted the bird out in the open, on top of the sticks near the lodge. We were somewhat surprised, even though we were actively seeking the bird, we weren't expecting it would be that easy to find. It was a quick and simple identification, as we were both familiar with the species and it was clearly visible.

Avery Fish's checklist comments: "Stalking around in the running water at the south end of the pond, across from the beaver baffle. It would scurry from the water into the beaver lodge when spooked, but then would pop out farther back and forage in the concealed patches of running water. Small, buffy rail with dark stripes on the flanks, gray cheek, and red downcurved bill. Seen flying once, likely flushed by the weasel that swam in."

I concur with Avery's statements regarding the observation and his description.

Small, plump rail with a long, red, decurved bill. Under a foot long, wingspan just over a foot.

Dark head with the appearance of a "cap" with gray cheek, and white line fading into gray above eye. Nape dark with buffy colored spots. Throat buffy.

Long, red, downcurved bill. Brownish red legs.

Similar to nape, dark with buffy colored spots.

Dark, with less buffy spotting than upper back.

Chestnut above and dark below.

Breast and belly had a reddish tone. Black and white banding on flanks. Undertail coverts similar to flanks (using photos for reference).

Upturned tail, similar in coloration to lower back, which is dark and less spotted or streaked.

Since we'd read the previous report submitted by Tom Doubleday on January 2nd, we were expecting to see this species. Due to the time of year, there should not be any other similar species present in Vermont, and due to the clear visuals, it was easy to rule out any other species. A Sora would be the mostly likely species to occur at this location during the expected season. It would be generally darker and more gray overall, especially underneath, and would have a short, yellow bill, and greenish legs.

This bird appeared to be an adult, but sex was not determined. We were able to observe this bird for an extended period of time, and then we moved on. We returned on our way back, and the bird was present and active again. We were able to obtain several photographs and spend a significant amount of time observing this individual. Please also refer to Avery Fish's checklist https://ebird.org/checklist/S158063682 for additional photos. The report was written from notes taken during the observation, and from memory and by using photos taken during the observation.