A possible Clapper Rail or King Rail is foraging along a narrow strip of exposed mud at The Living Classroom Foundation in the Harbor East area of the Inner Harbor, in Baltimore City. This bird did not have strong orange coloration like an adult female King rail. The orange was a dull wash on the flanks with some color on the neck. The wing coverts were gray-brown and did not have strong orange on them. The crown was brown, with a gray supercillium and a darker gray/brown cheek. To me, this bird more closely resembles the image of the Clapper Rail than that of immature King. 

The Living Classroom Foundation is located at 802 S. Caroline Street_Baltimore, MD 21231. If you choose to look for the Rail walk along the 1300 block of Lancaster Street at S. Central Street. Not only is this the best place to see the rail; but, The Living Classroom has started it's school year and no should enter the school yard. It would be very difficult to see the bird from there anyway. This could be a nice stop if you plan on joining the walk at Fort McHenry tonight.

If I'm lucky I will get a picture at 4 p.m.

Keith Eric Costley

Randallstown, Baltimore County