Yesterday, while walking with a friend, I was lucky enough to see two Virginia rails.
    The first, above, was right at the bridge by the Lookout at the north end of Lake Appert.  We were talking with Mike Limatola. the deputy warden, when another chap asked, "What's that bird over there?"
   Bingo. The rail was not skittish at all, and I took a 10-second video as well, below.

   The second one was at No Name Culvert, on the west side of the lake. As was once said of an old boss, this guy would have made a cup of coffee nervous.
   Rails have not been seen since mid-December. Most places you'll never see them at all.