We arrived at Noland's Ferry on the C&O Canal at about 1 p.m. today, 
and spent the next couple of hours looking unsuccessfully for the 
Townsend's Warbler.  There were many kinglets, nuthatches and 
chickadees around, together with numerous creepers, to keep us amused 
for more than two hours, but no Townsend's.  There were also quite a 
few birders, most of whom had unfortunately already left when the 
bird was eventually re-sighted.

Around 3:15 p.m. we also needed to leave, most disappointed of 
course.  We've seen this species in California and 6 other western 
states but really wanted to see it in Maryland.  As we were driving 
out onto New Design Rd., a group of birders that included Rick 
Sussman and Bill Wendell gestured furiously to us -- they had the 
bird in trees opposite the stone house.  So we hastily parked 
again.  It was 3:20 p.m.

We subsequently had very nice views as the warbler slowly worked its 
way back to the area closer to the parking lot and portapotty where 
it has been reported many times now. It did seem to be interested in 
sapsucker holes, as Gail reported earlier today.

Many thanks to the Sussman group for not letting us slip away and, of 
course, to Lydia Schindler's group on the Sugarloaf Count who found 
this great Maryland bird just last Monday.

Mike and Joy Bowen
Bethesda, MD

D. H. Michael Bowen (Mike)
8609 Ewing Drive
Bethesda MD 20817-3845
Tel/Fax: (301) 530-5764
e-mail: