Jim Stasz and Ed Boyd reported a King Rail and Orange-crowned Warbler in northern Calvert, via the eBird Google gadget, along the new rail trail along Fishing Creek. Joe Hanfman provided explicit directions in a personal communication. When you enter Chesapeake Beach via Rt. 260, turn south (right) onto Rt. 261 then turn right just before the water park onto G Stinnett Blvd, drive about a block west then turn left alongside the marina and the parked boats on trailers. There's a sign at the left turn about the rail trail. The boardwalk starts at the end of this parking lot. Take the boardwalk until it comes to a T then turn left to the bridge that crosses Fishing Creek. The trail turns into pale paver blocks and there are cedar trees on both sides of the trail.
I arrived at this location at 0700. I played a tape (is it still a tape if you use an iPod?) of King Rail at the junction of the boardwalk and the pavers and got an immediate response of an evenly paced kek-kek-kek-kek call from the north side of the creek. Content with that, I played OCWA song and calls with no response. I walked up and down the pavers until I heard chipping from the north side of the creek. By this time it was 0730. I played the OCWA chip and it responded emphatically by flying over the creek and landing virtually at my feet. I tried to get some pix but it was still quite dim and it was in a bush and stayed visible for only a few seconds. It then flew south across the trail into the marsh grasses but again teed up on what appeared to be a small marsh elder. I got good looks at it but again failed at photos.
Just for kicks, I played Sedge Wren song and calls and got the expected silent response. Can't hurt to try! Anyway, it's a banner day when I can score two Calvert County birds in one day. Thanks Jim and Ed, and Joe for the awesome directions!
Tyler Bell
California, Maryland
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