1st Round

2nd Round

12-17-2009
Dave Trochlell--Accept

The male Yellow Rail's persistant "tick-tick" call is very distinctive and diagnostic. I thought the description was most convincing.

02-12-2010
Dave Trochlell--Accept

I'm still convinced. I think the YERA's vocalizations are quite unique, and I'm convinced that the observer heard one.

12-27-2009
Darren Clark--Accept

Although a sighting would have been nice. The song of a Yellow Rail is so distinctive that it could have been nothing else. The habitat and date were also good.

03-09-2010
Darren Clark--Accept

It is a shame a recording was not made, but there is no doubt that this was a Yellow Rail. The sound was spot on to the sound recordings of Yellow Rail. Not only was the sound like that of two rocks being hit together, but the timing and cadence was spot on. I don't agree with Chuck's comments that the bird needed to have been scared up with ropes, but we should have made a sound recording. Nevertheless, I'm sticking with my vote to accept.

12-27-2009
Chuck Trost--Reject, specific identification not established

I too heard this bird, but don't feel right accepting it on sound alone. Next time I recommend that we drag a rope through the marsh to confirm such a rare bird.

2-10-2010
chuck trost--Reject, specific identification not established

I still feel that such a rare bird requires more than sound. I think we need to be more thorough in documenting this bird.

21 December 2009
Hardy--Accept

I am usually reluctant to accept heard-only records, esp. without even a brief glimpse of the bird, but Yellow Rails are so elusive that I think they are a special case. Known populations of Yellow Rail occur to the east, north and west of Idaho, and there are several accepted state records already. Against that backdrop, this report describes the textbook vocalization character and pattern, the typical night vocalization, and the expected habitat. It would have been nice to have had a recording for confirmation.

23 February 2010
Hardy--Accept

Same comments as first round.

12-20-2009
Sturts --Accept

Call is distinctive and many experienced birders heard the call.

02-27-2010
Sturts --Accept

I'm staying with my first vote for the following reasons: (1) Although this is a heard only record, it is not a 1st state record. (2)It was heard by several experienced birders. (3)The singing/calling went on for a period of time. (4) The song/call is distinctive and was adequately described.

1-31-10
Carlisle--Accept

good description of call ... & I heard this bird

2-25-10
Carlisle--Accept

no change from round 1

02-02-2010
Doug Ward--Reject, specific identification not established

The “song” description, time of “day”, and the follow up inspection of the site specific habitat all point to this being a good report for a potential Yellow Rail (Coturnicops noveboracensis). However, I’m voting to reject in order to open up a discussion on treatment of “heard only” records, in particular for this record as the call described is somewhat cryptic, and other potential sources for the call (e.g.; an amphibian or insect) were not discussed.

02-05-2010
Doug Ward--Accept

After considering committee member discussion on the treatment of “heard only” records, I’m comfortable that this was indeed a Yellow Rail (Coturnicops noveboracensis) calling out there at Market Lake WMA. The fact that many observers heard this bird adds to the level of confidence in accepting this record.