I thought some folks may be interested in knowing how my 24-hr wood-rail chase trip went over the weekend. After advertising for fellow journeypeople from the Cobirds community, I was able to quickly fill my van to capacity. Six of us left Northern Colorado Friday evening, arriving at the refuge shortly after dawn, but 10 minutes after the wood-rail disappeared. So, we waited...and waited...and waited. At 2 pm, we decided to cool off (it was HOT at the unshaded marsh boardwalk) at higher elevation in the Cibola National Forest. That decision was rewarded with a cooperative Red-faced Warbler. Arriving back at the marsh at 6 pm, we finally observed the Rufous-necked Wood-Rail parading around its corner of the impound. We arrived back in Northern Colorado by 7 am tired, road-weary, 11 hours tardy, but extremely happy. As a group, the 6 of us tallied 101 species during 15 hours of daylight within New Mexico on July 13.
Several photos from the wildlife refuge are posted at http://www.pbase.com/quetzal/nm7132013. We thought we heard and saw several Cave Swallows, but my report of 6 on e-bird was flagged as unusual. I photographed one candidate juvenile, but it might be an example of a pale juvenile Cliff Swallow. Photos are posted here: http://www.pbase.com/quetzal/swallow&page=3.
According to the ABA website, the wood-rail was still being seen this morning.
Nick Komar
Fort Collins CO
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