Yes, they are. Black Rails winter in small numbers in the coastal marshes of the San Francisco Bay area They are very secretive and the only real chance of seeing them is during a few days in January & February when they're forced into the open by the spring tides. It was during one of these very high tides that the incident described took place. As always on these occasions there were lots of birders present hoping not only to catch a glimpse of Black Rails but also for good views of the commoner rails--Virginia Rail, Clapper Rail and Sora--which during spring tides can be lined up in their dozens on the high points. Predators have a field day during these tides, when not only rails--particularly the smaller species--but mice and voles are at their most vulnerable. The Clapper and Virginia Rails feast on the rodents, and the Northern Harriers and egrets and herons go after everybody, including the smaller rails.
