I stopped by the VW wetlands in Hamilton County about 3 PM this afternoon.
While viewing the western area of the wetlands I saw a rather large bird in the
water among the plants. While trying to get a photo of this rather distant
bird, it disappeared from view, and I could never relocate it. My immediate
impression for the short time I had it in view was that it was a gallinule. I
never got an extended view of the head, nor was I able to see a possible white
stripe on its side. It did have a red bill. My overall impression was “a rather
stocky black bird with a red bill.” Maybe if it stays there for a few days,
someone else may get a better look and/or a good photo. I cannot now say for
sure if it was a Common Gallinule or a Purple Gallinule. I lean toward Common
Gallinule.
Charles Murray
Birchwood, TN
