This morning between 1 and 3 Prothonotary Warblers were singing at Riley's
Lock, C&O Canal.  I want to thank the gentleman, whose name I didn't get,
for alerting me to the possibility.  Shortly after we chatted, I encountered
one, along the big pool just north of the bridge.  After some great views,
continued a bit north, but encountered nothing of note.  On the return leg,
I came across a Prothonotary, being admired by a young family, with but one
pair of compact binoculars between them.  But he was showing so nicely, you
almost didn't need the binoculars.  I shared mine with them.  Leaving them,
presumably still admiring the bird, a little way further one, I encountered
another singer, this time being admired by two women.  And a bit more, yet
another, this time with three birders in its thrall.  It was a lifer for one
of them.  

Northern Parulas were quite evident.  Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were
ubiquitous.  Yellow-rumped Warblers were singing at the parking lot, and
one, maybe two, Pine Warblers were singing among the conifers by the canoe
outfitter.  I also heard 1-2 Louisiana Waterthrushes.  This was all in the
8-9:00 a.m. time frame.  And Chimney Swifts were present.  

The park and ride on Broken Land Parkway at rt. 32 in Howard County at 7:00
a.m. this a.m., east side, had 3 Eastern Kingbirds, 1 Yellow Warbler, and
2-3 Orchard Orioles singing.


Kurt Schwarz
HowCo
goawaybird at comcast dot net
Ku