At about noon today, Friday, April 7, there was an active flock of 
BONAPARTE'S GULL at Violettes Lock on the C&O Canal, Montgomery 
County,  The flock numbered about 40 birds, of which about two were 
in first-winter plumage.  A few Ring-billed Gulls accompanied them.

Also in the air above the falls below Violettes Lock was a large 
flock of swallows:  Most of these were TREE SWALLOW, but there were a 
substantial number of PURPLE MARTIN and at least 1-2 BARN SWALLOW.

Nearby were 15-20 PIED-BILLED GREBE and a few DOUBLE-CRESTED 
CORMORANT.  Nearby diving ducks were (I think) Lesser Scaup, but I 
foolishly had forgotten to bring my 'scope, so I'm not sure.

Downstream, near Pennyfield Lock, I had 3 LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH and 4 
PALM WARBLER.  2 BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER were the first I've had in 
Montgomery County this year.

A little later I had, briefly, a single BROAD-WINGED HAWK over 
Riley's Lock (Seneca), my first of this species for 
2006.  YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS were extremely common, including many 
birds that were obviously migrants -- lots of singing and many 
male-plumaged birds.  No Parulas yet.

Good Birding!

Mike Bowen
Bethesda, MD



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