Hi --

I found myself in Darnestown today so drove over to Hughes Hollow to look
for the rails (the Sora would be a county bird) -- I got there about 10:15
and there were a couple of other birders present, neither had seen the Sora.
While we continued to search, Bob Ringler (and dog) arrived. Bob and I (and
dog) decided to walk up the cross-dike to look for the Virginia Rail and
that proved more successful, we founf it straight away, very lose to the
bank of the cross-dike less than 100 yards from its intersection with the
main path. It gave us (and the two other birders) great looks for some
minutes as it fed and marched back and forth on the wet ground.

Other birds of interest were Blue-gray Gnatcatchers (the only neotropical
migrant I saw/heard) and a calling Barred Owl. I had to leave at 11 and up
to that time, the Sora had not shown. There were still some birders looking
so hopefully it will be relocated. It was getting pretty hot and sunny for a
rail!

Gail Mackiernan
Colesville, MD