I'm wondering if there would be more winter records of Least Bittern if more people were familiar with their "cack" call--it sounds very rail-like, and until someone pointed it out to me, I assumed I WAS hearing some odd rail sound! Mary Beth Stowe McAllen, TX _www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) In a message dated 12/28/2013 7:13:50 P.M. Central Standard Time, davidkmcd@xxxxxxxxx writes: Hi Texbirders, I wanted more photos of the very pale Krider's that I posted yesterday, so headed back today. He was on the exact same pole as yesterday. It is about 1 mile past Pear Orchard Road on 1985 on the way to the Skillern Tract. http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/153942176 In order to see the age of the bird, the wings need to be seen in flight. Here he is landing on another pole. The sharp demarcation of the wings (dark medially and light laterally) indicates a juvenile. http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/153942177 And with his wings were uplifted a moment later. http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/153942178 Sibley describes the Krider's as being 'scarce'. The juvenile plumaged bird must be rarer still. These exact pictures are seen in Sibley on page 123. What a great bird! Hope he stays all winter so all can get to see him. Other notable birds today at the main tract were Greater White-fronted Goose, Snow Goose, Ruddy Duck, Marsh and Sedge Wrens, White-crowned and Swamp Sparrows, Vermilion Flycatcher and a Merlin. Here is the Swamp Sparrow, my FOS. http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/153942180 Here is the Merlin. http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/153942285 Another interesting plumaged bird for me were juvenile plumaged Snow Geese. They have brownish heads and gray feathers on the back. Sibley lists this as an August to January plumage. http://www.pbase.com/image/153942553 The Skillern Tract also had some great birds. Both an American and Least Bitterns were flushed. I was amazed at the Least still being present. There was a very cooperative male Vermilion Flycatcher there as well. My best photo ever of this beautiful bird. http://www.pbase.com/davidmcd/image/153942179 Good bird y'all and Happy New Year. David McDonald Friendswood TX Edit your Freelists account settings for TEXBIRDS at //www.freelists.org/list/texbirds Reposting of traffic from TEXBIRDS is prohibited without seeking permission from the List Owner Edit your Freelists account settings for TEXBIRDS at //www.freelists.org/list/texbirds Reposting of traffic from TEXBIRDS is prohibited without seeking permission from the List Owner