Breeding Birdz part2 - Walpole Island

Yesterday my dad and I finally got the chance to make our way down to Walpole Island looking for some of its breeding birds, and I must say we did have some success.
We got to the island around 7am, and there were still a number of birds calling. While making our way down to the Goose Lake marshes on the south end of the island, we had the windows down and were listening, and at one point was able to pick out a calling Sedge Wren (#232) amongst the many Marsh Wrens and Common Yellowthroats singing. It sounded slightly far off to look for so we didn't try to find it, I still have never seen the species in my life! Once we got down to the lake, I got out of the car, and got attacked by about 150 Deer Fly's... a 'slight' annoyance... But I managed to bare them for a good time period before leaving. While I was down there I managed to add another number of species. First off, Black Terns (#233), I ended up seeing 5 from Walpole, but many more later in the day. Next bird for the year was Least Bittern (#234), one distant individual calling its distinct call.. Surprisingly, this is the first I have ever even heard! And I have never seen a wild one either, but an injured one came into the Bluewater Center for Raptor Rehabilitation (where I volunteer) earlier this year so I saw that one. That was actually in April! Earliest LEBI I've ever known about! Next up was my first Virginia Rail (#235) of the year, which also ended up being the first one I have gotten a picture of! Not a very good pic, but it is ID'able! And lastly for the marsh was a distant pair of Common Gallinules (#236) (used to be know as Com. Moorhen). I ended up with one more species for the island, a singing Yellow-breasted Chat! (#237). Most definitely the most unsuspected species found!
Other notables from the island are as follows:
   -two Redheads
   -two Ring-necked Pheasant
   -four Pied-billed Grebe
   -two American Bittern
   -two Black-crowned Night-Heron
   -two Sandhill Cranes
   -and a singing White-throated Sparrow

My first 2 Virginia Rail pics

For you bander's out there, yes I know its not a 'proper' grip.

Me holding Least Bittern

After we had finished at Walpole, we headed across the ferry into the states, and toured around Harsen's Island. It is a very nice island with lots of good marsh habitat. We managed another number of notable species:
   -six Great Egret
   -35 Black Terns
   -another Sedge Wren
   -and a calling Brewer's Blackbird!
The blackbird was very interesting and unexpected.

Showing left-right, Juvi Black Tern infront of Ringer, Adult B.Tern in breeding plumage, Forester's Tern x2, Adult B.Tern molting into non-breeding plumage.

Adult Black Tern starting to molt

Great-blue Heron, someone should probably tell'm he won't fit in that box hole!

eBird Checklist of the day:
Walpole Island eBird Checklist
Harsen's Island eBird Checklist

Good Birding!