Prothonotary Warbler and King Rail - 27 May 2018


Robin and I took one last trip to Magee Marsh before the roads close on June 1st. Today brought clear skies, high temps (upper 80's) and humidity. Still, we had a wonderful walk on the boardwalk and enjoyed some great birds one last time before having to say goodbye until next year.

We were greeted by the boisterous call of a Prothonotary Warbler as we entered the west entrance. This beauty popped into view right overhead and provided my best pics of the day.




The only other warbler I'd see, and hear, is American Redstart.


House Wrens were everywhere. I even found one individual sleeping on the job!



Yellow-bellied and Great-crested Flycatchers were seen, albeit briefly. This GCFC was severely backlit.


I heard both Black-billed and Yellow-billed Cuckoos, but could not find either in the heavy foliage of the big loop. Red-eyed Vireos and Warbling Vireos were singing, and the Warbling Vireos were cooperative for a few pics.


I managed to capture a honeybee in flight!


I was very impressed with a young 10-year old lady who pointed out Yellow Warbler and Wilson's Warbler flying by without binoculars. And she was right! Wow.

Magee Marsh--Boardwalk, Lucas, Ohio, US
May 27, 2018 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Robin and I took one last trip to Magee Marsh before the roads close on June 1st. Today brought clear skies, high temps (upper 80's) and humidity. Still, we had a wonderful walk on the boardwalk and enjoyed some great birds one last time before having to say goodbye until next year.
11 species

Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus)  1
Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus erythropthalmus)  1
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax flaviventris)  1
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)  1
Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus)  2
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)  2
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)  4
Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)  1
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)  1
Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)  1
Wilson's Warbler (Cardellina pusilla)  1

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S152081585

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)

We returned to the car and decided to make a quick trip through the Wildlife Drive at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. No sooner did we pass the gate that we spotted Jaimie Cunningham in the road. She had a King Rail in the ditch next to the road. Sure enough, the loud "TICK-TICK-TICK" of the King Rail could be heard from inside the car. I joined her for a few minutes and managed to get a few pics through the brush before it disappeared farther back into the grass. Thanks, Jaime!


Ottawa NWR--Wildlife Drive (Ottawa Co.), Ottawa, Ohio, US
May 27, 2018 11:00 AM - 11:20 AM
Protocol: Traveling
5.0 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Entrance to Wildlife Drive
1 species

King Rail (Rallus elegans)  1     found by Jamie Cunningham. Heard the distinct and lout "TICK-TICK-TICK" of the King Rail. The rail appeared briefly through the brush before dispappearing back into the thick. Shallow ditch filled with water next to the road at the entrance to the drive. Pics.

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S46090350

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)