Hi All,

I was birding along Elliott Island Rd. today and had a question in regard to one of my sightings. If you can help me out, I would really appreciate it. We were way down just outside the Fishing Bay Wildlife Management Area and saw a number of small, round, stocky birds that lifted up out of the reeds fly for a bit and then keep quiet. Then they would do it again a little later. We saw about 5-6 total doing this. 

They had rounded wings with a grayish neck and head, with short beaks, and what appeared to be a flash of white when they flew - but I could be mistaken about that - they flew pretty fast. After reviewing the Clapper and Virginia Rails  I tend to thing they are too big and the bills are too long. I am left believing they were Soras. Is that possible? Do they frequent that area? Any aid would be appreciated. Other notable sightings were -

White-eyed Vireo (1)
Blue Grosbeaks (2)
Pine Warlbers (3+)
Brown Headed Nuthatches (4+)
Eastern Bluebirds
Greater Yellowlegs
Black-necked Stilts (2)
Laughing Gulls (tons)
Great Egrets  (8+)
Snowy Egrets (3)
Green Heron (1)
Little Blue Heron (1)
Great Blue Heron (2)
Eastern Kingbirds
Royal Terns (30+)
Black Vultures
Turkey Vultures
American Kestral (1)
Belted Kingfisher (1)
Bald Eagle (1)
Osprey (12+)
Wild Turkey (1)

Plus -
1 Blue Crab
2 White tailed Deer
2 Mud Turtles

Thanks in advance -
Ben