Thanks to those who posted the scoop on access to Lilypons, I went back this
morning for another attempt at the Virginia Rail. Dave Harvey was already
there doing some recon when I arrived. Eventually we found what appeared to be
"the spot." I played a series of "kidik" calls from a small voice recorder and
got an immediate response of "wep-wep-wep" grunts from about 15 feet away in the
reeds. One bird, an adult, soon moved into an opening while another, same
size but unidentified, slipped through the reeds behind it and never reappeared.
The adult remained in view for about 10 minutes, giving grunts interspersed
with the "kicker" call, a high, sharp, chirping series ending in a trill:
"ki-ki-ki-ki kiterrrr" (Bob, maybe this was the King Rail-like sound you heard?). We
enjoyed great views from less than 10 feet away, and I shot some good video.
Though I have heard these birds many times and had some fleeting glimpses, I
was waiting for a sighting like this to add it to my life list, my 400th ABA
species.

After this Dave and I split up to do some sparrowing. Some highlights:

Wood Duck - 22
VIRGINIA RAIL - 1-2
Wilson's Snipe - 1
Brown Creeper - 2
MARSH WREN - 2
Catbird - 1
Field Sparrow - 10
FOX SPARROW - 1 (f.o.s.)
Swamp Sparrow - 20
White-throated Sparrow - 20

When I got home there were 4 Goldfinches and one PINE SISKIN at the thistle
feeder. Around 5:30 this evening there were 3 Siskins. Still no Purple Finches.

Joel Martin
Catonsville, MD