For our tour description, itinerary, past triplists, dates, fees, and more, please VISIT OUR TOUR PAGE.

See this triplist in printable PDF format with media only on page 1.

One of the dramatic sunsets seen in Cameron Parish during the tour. Photo by guide Chris Benesh

This year marked my second opportunity to join Dan Lane on his Yellow Rails & Crawfish Tails tour in southern Louisiana. While this is considered primarily one’s best opportunity to see Yellow Rails and several other wonderful rail species, it really is jam packed with other avian highlights. The shear number of birds wintering in the rice fields and hanging out on coastal beaches is staggering. Huge flights of geese, ibis, grackles, and shorebirds blanket the skies at times. Nearby, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers drip from the trees. Further inland, the piney woods of Kisatchie National Forest were different and wonderful, home to three specialized species, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Bachman’s Sparrow, and Brown-headed Nuthatch. Throwing Barred Owl, Pileated Woodpecker, and Winter Wren into the mix there made for a terrific morning of birding there. While exploring coastal marshes, we were able to track down two salt marsh sparrows, Nelson’s and Seaside. We were also treated to a collection of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers decorating power lines near the coast. But it is the rail experience that really makes this tour. The afternoon spent following a combine around rice fields is a pretty unique way to bird. Who could imagine so many Soras wintering in one spot? Also the way we got to see Virginia Rails and even a King Rail put up by the combine. But it was the Yellow Rail that most were there to see, and see it we did. It was not without its suspense. The first couple of fields held quite a bit of water, more than is suitable for Yellow Rails. We watched quite a few Sora, a few Virginia Rails, and a King Rail in these. It was the last field of the day to be cut that provided a drier, more suitable habitat. Those riding on the combine and in the ATVs were able to watch the action from up close and see as many as nine of them as they flew off ahead of the combine blades. Overall, an unforgettable experience.

Three days of birding is not nearly enough time to really get to know a group, but we made the most of the little time that we had together. It was a treat for me to meet all of you and see a few familiar faces again. Good birding to you all and I hope our paths cross again some time in the future. — Chris

KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant

The field nearly harvested and the sun low in the sky, birders riding the combine in search of rails. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.

Dan signals success in observing a secretive Bachman's Sparrow. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.

We had a great view of this vocal King Rail at the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge. Photo by Bill Parkin.

And later, at the East Jetty Beach, we had similarly wonderful views of this Clapper Rail. Photo by Bill Parkin.

During the harvesting, banders were catching many of the rails in moveable nets. Here is one of the many Soras being processed at the nearby banding table. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.

Several Scissor-tailed Flycatchers lined up on a wire near the coast. Photo by Bill Parkin.

One of the American Bitterns seen along the loop road at Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. Amazing views! Photo by guide Dan Lane.

One of several Merlins seen on the tour, this one really posed for us. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.

This young Purple Gallinule was one of two seen at Cameron Prairie NWR. Photo by guide Dan Lane.

We were lucky with Dan's stakeout Eastern Screech-Owl out in an isolated patch of woods. Photo by Nancy Buck.

One of the Barred Owls that we eventually spotted at Kisatchie National Forest. Photo by Bill Parkin.

It was tough lighting in the rain and overcast skies but Nancy Buck captured this pair of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers.

Dan captured this wonderful portrait of a Brown Pelican at East Jetty.

The numbers of birds along the coast near East Jetty were just mind-blowing. Here, gulls, terns, and skimmers launch themselves into the air. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.

Flocks were common, as with these swirling Long-billed Dowitchers (and lone Dunlin). Photo by Bill Parkin.

We saw quite a few American Alligators including what looked like a nursery with 50+ animals present. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.

A close up of one of the Western Ribbon Snakes we came across. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.

The American Mink that put in a brief appearance at Sabine National Wildlife Refuge. Photo by Bill Parkin.

A White Ibis goes sailing past. Photo by guide Chris Benesh.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Totals for the tour: 151 bird taxa and 6 mammal taxa