This afternoon I went to the wet, swampy fields near the Restle Unit of Muscatatuck NWR to look for rails. In the last couple of days Sora and Virginia Rail have been reported. Either would be a new state bird, so I decided it was time to get muddy.
In the trees at the edge of the fields I saw my first Green Heron of the year (year bird number 160). I then started out into the swampy field. After only a couple of minutes, I flushed up a SORA. It didn't fly too far, and I got the closest, best looks I've ever had of a Sora. I ended up with three for the afternoon, all close, good looks. Sora was not a new bird for the year, since I saw one in Illinois a couple of weeks ago, but it was Indiana state bird number 194.
And, being in a swamp, it was appropriate that I saw dozens of Swamp Sparrows.
Posted by Birdingdave at April 27, 2004 11:10 PM