Tyler,
I couldn't resist and was at Chesapeake Beach at 7:00AM
today and did hear what I took to be a king rail ~ that steady,
slow "kek . . . kek . . . kek . . ." which you described. It lasted
for at least 15 seconds, at about 7:15, on the south side of the
creek as you said, and a bit east of there, i.e., some 30 to 40
yards before I reached the bridge). Unfortunately I had no
playback & so couldn't evoke another response.
I also encountered two sharp young birders (Steve Collins
and Robert -?- Ruffin) who found the orange-crowned warbler
right where the boardwalk makes a "tee" at the foot of the bridge.
Once again, thanks for a rewarding tip . . .
Leo
On Dec 21, 2011, at 10:19 AM, James Tyler Bell wrote:
> 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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