I led an ANS morning trip today, May 18, to the C&O Canal in 
Montgomery County between Pennyfield Lock and Violette's 
Lock.  Migrant warblers were very sparse but the group had wonderful 
looks at (local breeders) Prothonotary, Parula, Louisiana Waterthrush 
and (migrant) NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, which was seen well enough to 
compare the field marks and style of tail wagging with the 
Louisiana.  The group had fine looks too at a handsome pair of 
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS.

We had two sightings that were somewhat unusual -- a hen WILD TURKEY 
on the towpath just a short distance up from Lock 22 (Pennyfield 
Lock) and a day-flying COMMON NIGHTHAWK zipping over the canal just 
down from Violette's.  Both Orioles and WARBLING VIREOS were much in 
evidence in the upstream stretch.  And at one point we had an ACADIAN 
FLYCATCHER in the scope for more than five minutes.

Total species number was a modest 61.

Good Birding

Mike Bowen
Bethesda, MD

D.H. Michael Bowen
8609 Ewing Drive
Bethesda, MD  20817
Telephone: (301) 530-5764
e-mail:  dhmbowenATyahooDOTcom