I heard the Virginia Rail at the rear observation platform of Schoolhouse Pond again today at lunch.  It called unprompted as I walked up to the platform and then called from 12:53 to 12:56, when it seemed to quiet down.  Unfortunately I didn't have time to wait for it to walk out into the open again.  Although I didn't see the bird, it was calling from within 10 feet of the platform in the vegetation.  Also seen and heard from the platform was a Marsh Wren in the nearby cattails.  Other first of the spring birds (at least at Schoolhouse Pond) included a calling Great-crested Flycatcher and Gray Catbird.

Fred Shaffer

Crofton, Anne Arundel

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