Virginia Rails and a King Rail

 We get through the end of May and the migrants settle down and move North, some. Then there is a time of peace and quiet and a few bird neighborhood squabbles. But little new to see. Usually we get a "summer surprise." One year it was the some Mississippi Kites, another it was Common Gallinule. This year it was a Limpkin in Omaha and these rails two birders found in our country. The site is not a super birding site, but as it is well  mowed, I walk there once or twice in June.

The Virginia Rails were in a small pond, fast drying, among cat tails. One rail this morning:

There were one or two today, up to 7 a week ago.

The real surprise was the King Rail that Steve and Linda found a week ago. The above rails are juveniles. The parents were not seen. The King Rail is an adult, a stray. Note the orange breast. The King Rail would have a similar spotty or striped breast to the Virginias if it were a juvenile. They do not nest here. A few pairs nest in Kansas and Iowa each year.

Not a very good angle, but the King Rail is front, larger, and the Virginia Rail in the back.

Here you see the marsh. Virginia Rail in front, King Rail in back. Rails have long toes to keep them on top of the mud. Got one photo where the toes show:

Ft Robinson, NW Nebraska

 These birds are from Fort Robinson State Park and Agate Fossil beds national Monument.

Magpies, Lark Sparrows and a black Lark Bunting plus a Blue Grosbeak. The Agate Fossil Bed is dry sandy ranch land:

The Lark Bunting

Not a frontal view, but enough for ID, Cassin's kingbird. A Western Kingbird would have white edges to the tail.