Joann Merritt's Essays

Hearing Is Believing
April, 1997

Everyone recites the old adage “seeing is believing”, but Midnats also know that hearing is believing. Without knowing this, the Midnats on a field trip to Faudree could not have identified Common Yellowthroats, Virginia Rails, Soras and Marsh Wrens as being present in the bogs and marshes along Monahans Draw.

The loud clear singing of the Yellowthroats led us to believe there were many of them flitting hither and yon among the thick vegetation. But they never sang from an exposed perch so we could exclaim, “Over there - see that masked bird?” Our only option was to conjure up mental images of the “wichity, wichity, wichity” singers.

Virginia Rails compressed their feathers against their slender bodies becoming “thin as a rail” as they wafted through the cattails like a ghost, never moving a leaf. The dense marsh plants must have made a tight fit for the rails as we heard pig-like grunts following their “ticket-ticket” calls.

The Soras presented a similar situation. No birds were seen but their presence was made known by loud whinnying calls which sounded like the laugh of a wicked witch taunting us.

Hearing wasn’t believing in one instance. We couldn’t decide whether a Coot or a Moorhen was making the chicken-like sounds.

Loud bubbling, gurgling and scolding notes came from the small Marsh Wrens who managed to stay hidden even though we knew they were right there!

In the early 1900’s H. K. Job wrote this about marsh birds, “…the fascination of their company has made and keeps me a bog-trotter”. I understand that statement as I’m ready to trot back to the Faudree Bog hoping to see what I hear the next time. As spring approaches, these marsh birds will surely become bolder and venture from their secret hiding places. When they do, I want to be there.