I was just talking to Leo Heyens in Kenora about tree seed crops in northwestern Ontario in preparation for my annual winter finch forecast which will be posted this week. Leo happened to mention that he was in Rainy River earlier today where he estimated there were 500 rails, mostly Soras but many Virginia Rails too, along Miller's Creek in town. Rainy River is just south of Lake of the Woods and across the river from Baudette, Minnesota. The extreme drought in northwestern Ontario continues. Leo said that there were at least active 20 forest fires and as we talked two big MNR water bombers flew low over his house to refuel in Kenora. Lake and creek levels are very low, which has encouraged a bumper crop of wild rice throughout the area. The low water level in Miller's Creek and abundance of wild rice seem to have attracted all the rails. Good birding, Ron Pittaway Minden & Toronto ON