Saw the first Chimney Swift flying over our home this morning (Thursday).

Have to mention what appeared to be a rather young Barred Owl down by Lock 9 on the C & O Canal Sunday a week ago.  I say "young" because it was a good bit smaller than the 2 crows who were chasing and pecking at it.  My wife and I watched the whole episode for many minutes, with the Owl calling, being chased back and forth by the crows.  We got good view of it with our binoculars.  It flew back and forth, trying to escape the harrassment, all to no avail.  We watched the crows land next to it on the same branch, attack it, then chase it as it tried to flee. The crows appeared to be at least 4" larger than the Owl, which, if adult, should have been several inches larger than the crows.

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Frank Powers 
Glen Echo, MD 
Montgomery County