This past weekend, while birding in southern Delaware, Clapper Rails were very active and we saw them out in the open on a number of occasions throughout the day. In fact, saw a total of 19 Clapper Rails throughout our day trip! One of the reasons they were so active and easily seen was because a lot of pairs were taking care of chicks. The adults were scrambling to find food and also moving their young around, teaching them how to find food on their own. Below are some photos I took of an adult and one of its 5 chicks, as well as a short video that Jason Weller took of the same birds. I love seeing baby rails!
Clapper Rail chick at Prime Hook NWR (Photo by Alex Lamoreaux)
Clapper Rail adult at Prime Hook NWR (Photo by Alex Lamoreaux)
Alex is currently working for the Center for Conservation Biology, studying migrant Whimbrel and other coastal birds of Virginia's Eastern Shore. Alex is also studying Wildlife Biology at the Pennsylvania State University. An avid birder since 8 years old, Alex has since been able to travel not only across most of the United States, but also to Central America and Southern Africa in search birds. Raptors, shorebirds, and warblers are among his favorite groups of birds to observe and photograph.
Latest posts by Alex Lamoreaux (see all)
- Leucistic Whimbrel – Eastern Shore of Virginia - May 18, 2013
- First Day of Work on the Eastern Shore! - May 6, 2013
- Springtime Orange-crowned Warbler – Centre County, PA - May 2, 2013
- Montour County, PA – Yellow-headed Blackbirds - April 15, 2013
- Magnificent Frigatebirds – Determining Age and Sex - April 9, 2013
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