Least but not Last: Montezuma NWR Day 2 Part 1

I saw a report from Jay McGowan who had heard the Sedge Wren in the same place as it was reported the previous day at sunrise, so I figured I'd try his tactic to start day 2.  After finding the demarcated sign c64 on East Rd, where the Sedge Wren has been previously heard calling, I walked along the dew soaked grass listening for the wren.  At 6:39, I heard a loud cherk call, but it was a single note and was not confident enough to say that it was my first Sedge Wren.  While looking into the direction of where the possible Sedge Wren had called from, a small bird quickly flew up from the tall grasses and just as quickly back down.  From the blur I had just seen, the only thing definitive was its small size.  Coloration was not an option since the bird was between me the and the rising sun.  Then I heard another single cherk note and at 6:42 another single note.  After looking at nothing but grass for a short while and hearing nothing, I went to the car to listen to Sedge Wren calls.  The recording I had downloaded, was very similar, but at the same time not an exact match.  I was left unsure. 

Before heading to my next stop, Tschache Pool, I noticed a large flock of Bank Swallows roosting on the wires along East Rd.  This picture shows a nice size comparison between the larger Tree Swallow and one of the smallest swallows, the Bank Swallow.

At Tschache Pool, several Common Gallinules were out in the open feeding.

This family of Redheads swam by as well.  It was nice to see this species on breeding grounds after only previously seeing them wintering on Long Island.

The highlight of the morning at Tschache Pool was definitely this recently hatched Least Bittern standing in the cattails for almost two hours.  Note the bird still has some down on its back and head.

Stay tuned for part 2...