I went to Lilyponds on my way to Virginia on Sunday afternoon.  Heard a
Virginia Rail and saw several Purple Martins, Green Herons and Willow
Flycatchers during a quick stop with my family.  As for the report of a
Yellow Rail, I didn't find a May 1, 2008 entry in the logbook but there is a
May 13, 2007 entry with good details.  I played a tape at a few of the ponds
and heard some clicking but it was just a bit too rapid and soft for a rail.
Probably an insect.

David Gersten
Silver Spring, MD

-----Original Message-----
From: Maryland Birds & Birding [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Gail Mackiernan
Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2008 2:27 PM
To: 
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Lilypons and vicinity today 5/18

Hi all --

Today Barry went out to Lilypons (and also did some of the nearby fields) --
since it seemed a good day for rails or bitterns. There was a big "Dock Dog"
(water-jumping) competition which was disturbing some of the closer
impoundments, but he still found some good birds. (I was at another sort of
dog competition, and lost! Shoulda gone birding!)

Moorhen - 1
VIRGINIA RAIL - 1 (reedy impoundment across stream from house)
Yellow-crowned Night Heron - 1
Little Green Heron - 4
Great Blue Heron - 8
Hooded Merganser - 2
Willow Flycatcher - 3
Northern Waterthrush - 2

Cap Stein Road -- Horned Larks and Meadowlarks singing in several fields.

Black Hills -- c. 10 Bank Swallows with Tree and Barn Swallows at Rt. 121
Bridge

Also, Barry said there was a very well-described report in the Lilypons Log
Book of a YELLOW RAIL on May 1, in one of the reedy ponds on right, before
you get to the house. Barry didn't recall the observer...this didn't get
onto MDOsprey unfortunately.

Also, a request -- if you bird Lilypons, please fill in your sightings in
the log book, which is in a box on wall outside office door. This shows the
owners that birders appreciate their habitat work...

Gail Mackiernan
Colesville, MD