Ec0logist Susan Harrison from UC Davis answered my plea for photos, and her submission today, which is the last in the tank, happens to be her 100th contribution to this site. Kudos to Dr. Harrison, though she still has a ways to go to match the site record of John Avise.
At any rate, please follow Susan and send in your good wildlife photos. Her text and IDs are indented, and you can enlarge the photos by clicking on them.
Black Rails on a King Tide
“…The size of a sparrow and nearly impossible to see without tremendous effort… Beware confusion… Typically rare even in proper habitat. Incredibly difficult to locate even when vocalizing within mere feet of an observer; stealthily dashes around at the base of dense grass like a ninja.” — eBird
“One of the most elusive birds in an elusive family… infamously difficult to see…. In some places, bird clubs organize field trips that search specifically for them… during particularly high tides when water levels force these small birds to the edges of marshes.” — All About Birds
“Epic flooding from king tides leaves Marin County roads under water, businesses damaged” — ABC7 News, Jan. 2, 2026
The new year began for me with the self-imposed challenge of seeing a Black Rail, Laterallus jamaicensis. Like many other birders, I’d only ever heard one, and even that had not been easy (it entailed kayaking to a delta island where one had been heard by a boat-borne birder). Two factors were in my favor in early 2026: the near-record high tides of Jan. 2, and the company of conservation biologist Steve Beissinger, who knows all about Black Rails in California.
We spent the morning in China Camp State Park in Marin County, across the Golden Gate from San Francisco, where shallow marshes of pickleweed (Salicornia pacifica) line the western edge of the Bay. While Steve hadn’t studied Black Rails here, it’s a well-known place to seek them.
Over the course of 90 minutes, we watched as meandering streams and ponds swelled, water puddled on the road and then cascaded over it, and entire marshes disappeared as the shore migrated inland. Joggers, cyclists, and drivers paused in confusion along the inundated pavement. We later learned this was the region’s highest tide since 1998.
Flooded main road of China Camp State Park:
After some exploring, Steve paused where a low, shrub-lined embankment beside the road offered rails a covered exit ramp from the water:
While we watched the waters rise, Snowy Egrets (Egretta thula) and Great Egrets (Ardea alba) avidly hunted for flood-displaced prey. We hoped NOT to see a Black Rail in the beak of an egret!
Egrets, mainly Snowy:
Raptors including White-Tailed Kites (Elanus leucurus) took advantage of the hunting opportunity as well (although this particular rat-murderer was seen on my drive home).
White-tailed Kite:
Finally, we saw a rail fly in and dive under the Coyote Bushes (Baccharus pilularis) just in front of us. It turned out to be a Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola), robin-sized and with a longer and more colorful beak than a Black Rail.
Virginia Rail:
But with further searching under these bushes, we found two tiny, dainty Black Rails, as well as a second Virginia Rail! All four were foraging within the dense tangle of branches, undisturbed by their human admirers a few feet away. We were very fortunate indeed to get these closeup views.
Black Rails:
One Sora (Porzana carolina), a larger and more swimming-prone rail, circled nearby.
Sora:
Steve and the magic Coyote Bushes:
Congratulation on your 100th contribution and on capturing excellent images of the elusive Black Rail!
I’ve enjoyed every one of your contributions. I’m glad you were able to see that pudgy Black Rail so close. Thanks for showing it to us.
What a great story! I very much admire the goal of photographing a specific but challenging subject, and then going out to do just that. That must have been so satisfying!
I’ve heard a Black Rail once, and was clearly within a few feet of it, yet I failed to actually see that elusive critter! So, sadly, I was unable to add this species to my Life List. I can hardly believe you got such great photos of this rarity. Congrats!
I’m envious that you saw a rail, let alone photographed one! Thanks for these photos.
Ooh! Thank you, Dr. Harrison.
Congratulations, those are beautiful Black Rail shots! Thank you for sharing with us so many great posts and photos over the years. They are always interesting.
Beautiful photos! I enjoyed the (very) low tide that day, but it looks like the very high tide was more exciting!