Sora and other non-warblers at the Biggest Week!

There is a lot more than just warblers at the Biggest Week, and we have been lucky enough to come across quite a few pretty cool things! When we first got into town on Sunday night our first stop was Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. We wanted to be able to take advantage of the auto tour loop being open to vehicle traffic, which allowed us to explore a lot of the refuge. Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons were all around, Bald Eagles could be seen in flight in any direction that you looked, a single Trumpeter Swan floated around one of the pools, and many other waterbird species were seen in the various impoundments throughout the refuge. One of the highlights for me at Ottawa NWR was being able to hear lots of Marsh Wrens singing.

Great Blue Heron - immature at Ottawa NWR (Photo by Alex Lamoreaux)

Bald Eagle - immature at Ottawa NWR (Photo by Alex Lamoreaux)

After leaving the refuge, we drove over to the nearby Metzger Marsh Wildlife Area and we were treated to stunning, up-close looks at a Sora as it foraged out in the open along the road. I have been able to get quick looks at Sora as they dash around in marshes and swamps, but I have never seen one walking out in the open so freely and unfazed by a group of excited birders. Luckily, I was able to capture a few decent photos in the fading light.

Sora at Metzger Marsh (Photo by Alex Lamoreaux)

Sora at Metzger Marsh (Photo by Alex Lamoreaux)

Sora at Metzger Marsh (Photo by Alex Lamoreaux)