I got a message from Sherman Suter about my Black Rail questions. His
comments and the referenced work below pretty much agree with what Todd
suggested. Here's Sherman's message:
<<< From the Birds of N America account (by WR Eddleman, RE Flores, & ML
Legare), published in 1994:
nature of migration: "Poorly known. Inland populations of Eastern Black
Rail... [and]most individuals of eastern coastal populations probably migrate"
timing of migration:
"Spring migration (indicated by arrival dates on breeding areas or dates of
twoer kills) extends from mid-Mar to early May....Fall migration ranges from
early Sep to early Nov, with most records mid-Sep to mid-Oct..."
migratory behavior:
"Little known. Migrates at night ..."
breeding
"First brood per seaon. Peak of laying for Eastern Black Rail as indicated
by dates of nests with complete cluthches is 20 Jun +/-16 days...Sample sizes
too small to determine if there is geographic variation in clutch size."
From my experiences Tues evening and other peoples accounts of the Huntley
Meadows bird, I would take it to be a male trying to hold territory and
attract a mate. It may decide to stay a while if people do not harrass it
(repeated cases of the crowd rapidly gathering along the short stretch of the
boardwalk that the bird seems to be headed towards may not be helping) and it
doesn't encounter a heron or snapping turtle.
Cheers and good birding
Sherman >>>
Thanks to Sherman and Todd for their information, and to Kurt for getting me
yet another lifer!
Bart
In a message dated 6/14/2002 5:22:52 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
BlkVulture@xxxxxxx writes:
<< Subj: [va-bird] Bart's Black Rail thoughts
Date: 6/14/2002 5:22:52 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: BlkVulture@xxxxxxx
Sender: va-bird-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Reply-to: BlkVulture@xxxxxxx
To: va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Bart raised a couple of good questions regarding what the Black Rail is (or
was) doing at Huntley Meadows. Of course, there isn't much we can do except
speculate. My guess is that this bird is misplaced for one reason or
another, and is searching vigorously for a mate. If a female showed up I
think they would breed there, providing the water levels stay appropriate.
The presence of a bird at Dulles Wetlands in late summer may suggest that
they breed somewhere in the area. Why not?
Just my opinion, I could be way wrong. Catch it, put a transmitter on it,
and let's see where it goes...
Todd Day
Jeffersonton, VA
BlkVulture@xxxxxxx
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