Date: 9/18/26 5:49 am From: Timothy Barksdale <timothy.barksdale...> Subject: Rails especially Yellow
HI Ian,
Because I have been chasing rails, especially Yellow and Black at night since the mid -1970's and have had quite a bit of success, I thought I might be helpful to you.
First, when Yellow rails flush, they are rather strong flyers, so they Move! This is a highly migratory species adapted for long flights. They only very rarely hop up like some little wimpy rail; they tend to flush hard and move deliberately, often 50 -75 yards -quickly. The flush will often be 10-15-even 25 feet off the ground but sometimes they will stay lower.
Then- the white secondaries really pop out. This is not a difficult thing to see, it is the most obvious thing. In spring and fall the base color is a creamy Yellow buff. at times this looks almost soft, burnt orange but with more buff. The black patterned "flecking" is well up on the back and in no way interferes with the white secondaries. I've never noticed a "black bar" on the wings.
I've only seen one Yellow Rail since the 1970's in daylight - during the day time from dawn to dusk. Flushing them in daylight, is crazy hard. However, at night, it is a very different story.
I've spent hours and hours at night in marshes in Missouri, North Dakota, Manitoba, Montana and Minnesota both seeing and showing many of these birds. This species comes alive at night and readily flushes. Just after take-off and during landing are the moments when feet and legs are noticeable.
Timing of the south bound movement is poorly known, but from my personal experience, October is the month. I suspect that YERA also lingers as long as possible during migration.
So - while I do not know what you did see, I think the description does not match well for Yellow Rail.
