A Friday night visit to Swan Harbor brought high hopes of possibly
relocating the previously reported Yellow Rail, but to little avail.
Caretaker and experienced birder John Gallo, Dave Webb, and I collectively
held vigil from 8:30 PM until 12:30.  Conditions were rainy and windy but
brief periods between squaws produced at least 4 singing American Bitterns,
no less than 8 singing Sora, 2 singing Pied-billed Grebes, scores of Green-
winged Teal, and "scaipe" calls from numerous Snipe.  Prior to my arrival,
in addition to the numbers of Swamp Sparrows, Dave and John saw what they
felt was a very small rail kick up in the periphery of their light only to
drop into the marsh before they could illuminate it.  Hope springs eternal...the makings of another visit!

p.s. - If you've ever wondered, John Gallo, on his own time, mows and maintains the birding tracks for birders at swan harbor.  Big thanks to John!

Cheers, Dave Z
PWRC, Laurel