Waders - Brigantine

We've been in the Philadelphia area; when the weather cleared this week we made a trip to Brigantine unit, Forsythe NWR. Though rather hazy through the morning, there was good birding with the breeding summer residents.

In spring and summer, I always hear Clapper Rails along the Jersey shore but I do not always get a sighting. The rails "tek-ked" in many places in the salt marshes. The ebbing tide and patience finally yielded this individual as it crossed a muddy opening.

Clapper Rail

Long minutes were spent watching this Black-crowned Night Heron as it foraged for what appeared to be some kind of mud worm (sorry - still learning the birds, much less what they are finding to eat) ...

Black-crowned Night Heron

Black-crowned Night Heron

Additional waders - common, but I never tire of watching them or photographing them.  The Great Egret shows the breeding plumage which the "feather trade" craved and which nearly drove it to extinction. Thankfully it has rebounded wonderfully.

Great Egret

Snowy Egret

Great Blue Heron

Glossy Ibis

Good Birding!