Greetings all - 
A quick note to say that, two very little known and rare rails (both have been recorded in OH) that MAY be detected, with work, this spring, could be/are migrating through Ohio right now and for the next couple of weeks. First, the more likely (but still rare) YELLOW RAIL nests directly to our north - James Bay (southern point of the Hudson Bay) in vast sedge marshes. Yellow Rail is small, cryptic, and it's call is a "tick-tick; tick-tick; tick-tick.." which is cryptic in sound itself. Yellow Rail is highly "nocturnal" - calling in the black of night. Detection during the day would be based out of pure luck of flushing a bird from wet sedge meadow. However, there exists, particularly in NW Ohio, a fairly decent amount of habitat to support migrant Yellow Rails. Irwin Prairie, Oak Openings, and even parts of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge may harbor a few of these secretive, little-known birds. The second, Black Rail, is extremely rare in Ohio. It's range across the States, and habits, are poorly understood, for the most part. Migrants would be accidental, but yet a pair was found at Charlie's Pond a few years ago in May through June. Black Rail is highly "nocturnal" as well. Typically calling only after midnight: "kee-kee-DER....kee-kee-DER." The extensive freshwater marshes of NW Ohio may hold a very, very few individuals of this species. It would be a rare event indeed, but to the "gold-seekers", it's a challenge. Another spot that looks phenomenal for both species is the greater Big Island Wildlife Area and Killdeer Plains area. 
Both species are hardly considered as spring birds in Ohio. Yellow Rail is located annually (but only a small handful of individuals) in the fall when seekers find wet meadows/hayfields to walk, in hopes of briefly flushing birds. Black Rail is the holy grail. 
Good luck out there...Jen
Jen BrumfieldCLE, [log in to unmask]                                           
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