A magic spot across the road from the Wellhouse hosted a good bird found by Bobbi Manian. The Peninsula phragmite marsh renown for marsh rarities in the past today revealed an AMERICAN BITTERN.
In a location that saw Virginia Rails several times, Sora rails and even Clapper rail from years past, it was quite a delight seeing a furtive American Bittern. Even through the phragmites, birders including myself were able to pick out parts of the bird until it began moving and revealing it head,wings spread and body before disappearing. To locate this spot,look for the dirt trail and stop 100 feet ahead from Well drive at three large Gingko Trees: you arrives at the marsh on the right.
Bobbi in her initial find saw the Bittern out in the open. She even observed the bird grabbing a large frog and consuming it after a struggle. A great find by Bobbi.
On the lake ducks continue to make things interesting. Today 6 BUFFLEHEADS decided it's their turn to make headlines after the past week Redhead and Surf Scoter and yesterday's Lesser Scaup. Ruddy Ducks are prominent with 47 birds, 7 Northern Shovelers is just the beginning of more to come.
There's plenty of sparrows too on land. At Peninsula sumacs,4 juncos and 8 song sparrows with a chipping Sparrow occupied the edges. Along the lake shore of Well Drive two Swamp Sparrows got my gaze. At the empty feeders site, I saw White throated Sparrows.
