This morning I spent several hours on the Gunpowder Falls State Park trails
off Falls Rd. below Prettyboy Reservoir Dam.

Around 8:25 AM, I heard a loud honking rattle call and looked up across the
river to see what I assumed was a SANDHILL CRANE flying over the trees.
Before it disappeared behind the tree line, I got a good look at it: it was
much larger than a Great Blue Heron, light grayish white and flew with its
neck extended rather than bowed.

My observation point was N 39.61924 W 76.6907 (walking on white river-side
trail towards the dam this would have been less than 1/10 mile from the 2nd
parking area on Falls Rd. before the bridge). The trails are very rocky and
a trekking pole is strongly recommended. 

Also seen or heard (h):

Canada Geese, a Great Blue Heron, 2 each Pileated, Red-bellied and Downy
Woodpeckers, a Northern Flicker (h), Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice,
Carolina Wrens, 2 Winter Wrens, White-breasted Nuthatches (h), a
Brown-creeper, 3-4 EASTERN PHOEBES (all flycatching by the river), at least
6-8 Golden-crowned Kinglets (foraging in Tulip Poplars near the dam) and a
few Northern Cardinals. I was surprised not to see any kingfishers.

Felicia Lovelett

Sykesville, MD