Hi Folks,

There is a Black Rail singing persistently on territory in the Swan Creek
mitigated wetland associated with the Cox Creek Dredged Material Containment
Facility in northern Anne Arundel Co., perhaps the ultimate indicator of the
success of this area's management.  This is an industrial worksite operated
by the Maryland Port Commission, and managed by the Maryland Environmental
Service.  It is not public property, but birders have been welcomed to come
here under some STRICT GUIDELINES.  There has been extensive discussion
about how to manage this sighting, and how to disseminate the news to the
birding public.   Bill Hubick has invested a lot of time drafting some
guidelines, following discussion with several birders, and a good part of
what is written here is his work.

We have an endangered species, in safe dates, in an area with special access
restrictions.  While it is tempting to keep this 100% quiet, we have a bird
that is singing regularly throughout the day, and it seems prudent to share
the news with appropriate disclaimers rather than have pandemonium when the
bird is found unexpectedly. So, please read the following disclaimers and
take them to heart. A small group of birders has invested a tremendous
amount of time building a great relationship with the property managers, and
this relationship is a model we need to re-create as often as we can. It is
absolutely key that people be on their very best behavior here - do NOT be
the person who messes this up. If you pass on word of this bird to someone
not receiving this post, please consider yourself responsible for making
sure they understand the responsibilities that go with this rare
opportunity.

Please read all of these points very carefully. Each item is very important.

- Swan Creek is only open on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It is not
open over the weekend or on holidays, so do not try to arrange visitation
during these times. Do not show up after 3:00 and expect to walk down and
get the rail. Plan on being in your car and leaving at 3:30 p.m. You
probably want at least 45 minutes to walk down to the wetland, have some
time to listen, and walk back out.

- All visitors *MUST* check in at the trailer on your left each time you
visit this site (directions included below). You must sign the visitor log
that is just inside the door. If this is your first time visiting, say
"hello" to get someone's attention, and explain that it's your first visit,
and that you need to sign a release form.  The folks there will be very glad
to help you.  Do not skip either of these steps. This is an industrial site
and individuals diverging slightly from protocol have been issued $500
trespassing citations. Everyone is friendly and wants us to be there, but do
not even think about skipping these very reasonable steps.

- This bird must not be harassed in any way. If you visit, hope for an
awesome listen to a singing Black Rail in broad daylight. ** Do not plan on
seeing it or photographing it. ** Do not leave the road. ** Do not even
think about using playback. ** The wetlands are being recorded by a video
camera. Leaving the trail is not only ill-advised but also illegal. The
staff has agreed that there should be no tape use.  If you have an ipod with
you,* leave it in the car*.  The American Birding Association code of
birding ethics (in all their magazines) is very much the order of the day
here.

-tell others about the sighting, but make sure they know about the
protocol.  They should have a copy of this post.

Directions:

To get to the facility (from Baltimore and points west), take the last exit
off the I-695 beltway prior to the Key Bridge, onto Hawkins Point Rd., turn
left on Fort Smallwood Rd., go less than 0.5 mile, and immediately after the
stop light at Pitman Road, turn left onto Kembo Road. Drive to the end of
this road, through two gates, and park at the end of the fence to the right,
just prior to the flagpole. Go to the first trailer on the left, and write
your name in the log book just inside the door.  The people there are very
friendly.  Robert Natarian is the onsite supervisor, and Juinell and Rachel
are sub-managers.

Directly ahead of where you parked are the north and south dredge cells. You
can scan these via scope and in the north cell you should see the continuing
two Black-necked Stilts (rare) and drake Lesser Scaup, and possibly some
other shorebirds. Stay in the area of the flagpole or the office building,
and do not set up your scope on the roadway.  To get to the wetlands, follow
the lower road past the south cell.  *You MUST STAY ON THE ROAD* (or the
observation platform), but may take it all the way to the beach of the
Patapsco River by making a sharp left turn as you approach the back gate and
following the dirt/mud/sand road.  A map of the property showing where you
may go is at the following link:

http://www.billhubick.com/docs/swan_creek_map.jpg

The Black Rail has been calling from the left (east) side of the marsh,
halfway down, in the low grass just behind some taller cattails. It has been
calling with surprising regularity even in the middle of the day. It has
sung at all times including morning, mid-afternoon, and late afternoon. For
this reason in particular, it seems like a special opportunity to let people
come and hear this elusive species.  If you don't hear the rail calling upon
arrival, a good place to stand is 100 yards past the entry ramp of the
observation platform.  You can count steps to position yourself.

While in the area, be on the lookout for Least Bittern and Common Moorhen
(generally on the other side of the road from where the rail is, and best
seen/heard in the early morning), and also a breeding plumaged Horned Grebe
just off the beach.  You also have a good chance of finding nesting Orchard
Orioles, Blue Grosbeaks, and Yellow-billed Cuckoos.  Least Terns and Glossy
Ibis are regulars in the area, as are most of the waders.  In the early
morning you may see Black-crowned Night Herons and Cattle Egrets flying
south over the river to their daytime haunts.

Please have a good experience, and do all in your power to ensure that
others will be able to share in the same good experience.  My expectation is
that all those taking advantage of this rare opportunity will treat the
rail, their fellow birders, and the property owners/managers with the utmost
respect, and that many birders will be able to enjoy this unusual
opportunity.  Also, before leaving the property, other birders would
appreciate any yay or nay comments in the visitor log as to your success,
and if you have the chance, say thanks to the staff in the office.  They,
along with the Maryland Port Commission, have bent over backwards to allow
our access to the site, and have maintained the habitat that has prompted
this remarkable event to take place.

Stan Arnold
Ferndale


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