Listing Through Life

ixobrychus (from ixos, reed, and to roar or bellow) exilis (slender, small)

Saturday, July 21, 1990 — 4:10 pm

Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina — Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive

This Least Bittern may be the strangest lifer sighting I’ve had to date.  I was getting into my car after spending half an hour watching a large mixed flock of waders.  I caught a glimpse of a bird in my rear-view mirror as it flew behind my car.  It was headed off to my left, toward a large expanse of marsh.  I saw that it had its neck crooked heron-like, and my first thought was Green Heron.  But immediately something clicked and I realized what those large pale wing patches meant.

I jumped out of the car with my binoculars and caught sight of the bird as it cross the road.  It was flying about 15 feet above the ground when first seen, but descended to just above the reeds when it reached the marsh.  It continued for at least 50 yards, and I got a good look at its green back and wings.  The wing patches stood out clearly.  Far out into the marsh, it dove down and disappeared into the reeds.

I had started to wonder if I’d ever see a Least Bittern.  For eleven years I’d been birding in its range, and never saw a hint of one.  And I almost missed this one.  But I didn’t.

alligator mississippiensis

Saturday, July 21, 1990 — 3:50 pm

Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina

I was watching a flock of wading birds out on the marsh when I heard a scraping noise down the road. I saw something dark slither out of the tall grass and stop at the edge of the gravel. At first, I thought it was a snake, but when I looked with my binoculars, I saw it was a three-foot Alligator. I started toward it to get a picture, but it turned and scurried back into the marsh.

I later saw some larger ones floating in a canal and one at least nine-feet long basking in a small pool. As I approached, it slipped out of sight under the surface without a ripple.

himantopus (crook-shanked) mexicanus (of Mexico)

Saturday, July 21, 1990 — 3:50 pm

Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina — Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive

I spotted the Black-necked Stilts foraging on vegetation-covered mud flats between 20 and 40 feet in front of the large flock of waders.  Occasionally, one of the stilts flew a short distance, with its long legs dangling awkwardly behind.  They were walking around, picking at the surface of the mud.  One stilt stood on one leg and picked at its feathers.

It was great to be looking at such a mixed bag of birds, many of them lifers.  But I didn’t stay too long because I expected the road to curve around and pass closer to the pool.  I also still had hopes there would be other flocks to see.

hydranassa (from hydros, water, and anassa, queen) tricolor (three colors)

Saturday, July 21, 1990 — 3:45 pm

Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina — Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive

The Tricolored Heron was stalking through shallow water in a pool about 100 yards off the road near a large mixed flock of waders.  It was in an area where the grass was a few inches tall.  On two occasions, I saw it raise its wings into a canopy over its back and run for a few steps through the water while looking down.

eudocimus (famous, in high repute) albus (white)

Saturday, July 21, 1990 — 3:45 pm

Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina — Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive

I was standing on the road looking at a mixed flock of waders in a pool about 100 yards away. At times, I climbed up on the step of my car to see over the shrubbery and get a better view.

I was looking at my lifer Glossy Ibis when a flock of White Ibises flew in. They dropped down on half-spread wings and landed among the other birds. They waded around in the shallow pool, picking in the water.