Winter Wrens on C&O Canal
Mike Milton (mikemilton@ibm.net)
Sun, 17 Jan 1999 00:31:52 -0500
Judy Schaefer and I have been strolling along the C&O towpath this
fall and winter, in 5-10 mile round trip segments, between Fletcher's
Boathouse in DC and Horsepen Branch a mile E. of Sycamore Landing so
far. The afternoon light is superb for landbirding. I have been amazed
by the abundance and ease of viewing Winter Wrens; excellent, prolonged
views of at least a dozen so far, usually clambering through tree roots
on the opposite bank of the Canal, plus a few more heard.
Next Sunday we will bird a segment near Point of Rocks as part
of the first annual C&O Mid-Winter Survey, which seeks to census the
entire 186-mile length of the Canal. We will start earlier for morning
light on the river side, carry a scope, and bird systematically rather
than cas