While staying at Mom and Dad's we took a short trip out to Ankeny Hill Wildlife Refuge. We started at the main pavilion where you are only about 20 feet from the closest birds. Interestingly, I have seen a couple of life birds there - always standing out on the closest island bank, looking right at me. This time was no different! Mom asked what the "chunky bird on the bank" was, and after I got the binocs on it, I happy recognized the elusive sora that has been on my "get" list forever! I had to take a quick look in Sibley to be sure, because it did not have the characteristic mask I anticipated, but after consulting the guide, the field marks clearly matched a juvenile.
(Image of juvenile from google).
Yipee!! I am on the way to 250...and hopefully 300 by the end of the year. (Which may require another pelagic trip. Anyone interested in going out of Newports harbor for a 7-10 hour boat ride in September/October - let me know. Don't worry about being seasick - I have great tips for getting vomit out of gortex :> and it really isn't a truly rewarding experience unless you suffer during it...right???)
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