[EBB Sightings] More details about calling Black Rails

All,
For those wishing for a little more detail about the Black Rails reported by my Palo Alto Adult School birding class on Saturday at Coyote Hills Regional Park...?
Those of us who wanted to pursue Ken Schneider's original reports from Feb. 25 (and several others who have posted since). We arrived at the entrance kiosk around 6:30 and spent the better part of an hour listening and watching. The were vocalizing every few seconds when we arrived and continued until nearly 8:00 (although less frequently) when we moved to the visitors center.
The first bird was located in the right hand marsh just past the large puddle on the trail after the entrance kiosk. As we stood and listened, the Black Rail moved through a stand of somewhat taller grass, and worked its way (unseen) very close to us, just a matter of 8-10 feet away. It called repeatedly at very close range.?
The second and third birds were located on either side of the road about 50 yards further up the entrance road near the large tree. These birds were farther from the trail, but still clearly heard by members of the group.
The fourth and fifth birds were along the trail through the marsh that leads from the entrance kiosk to the visitors center. Only one member heard these birds, but was able to get recordings with a portable digital recorder.
Each of these birds was giving the traditional "kick-ee-doo" or in some cases "kick-kick-ee-doo" call. Also heard in the area were at least two Virginia Rails giving their uncommon "kick-kick-errrrrrrr" call. To our ears the calls were admittedly similar, but easily distinguished from each other if heard well. The Virginia is a more drawn-out, drier sound, more rough and rattling than the more squeeky-toy quality of Black Rail.
It was about this time last year that Ken first posted about Black Rails in the park. I don't know of anyone having seen the birds here, but the listening conditions are good and maybe someone will get lucky.
Matthew Dodderhttp://www.birdguy.nethttp://www.zazzle.com/mdodder
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.diabloaudubon.com/mailman2/private/sightings/attachments/20100308/821263f4/attachment.html