Jim and Ann Nelson wrote:
> This morning, Sunday, 3/22, around 10:45 we observed a flock of about 100
crows in the trees immediately around Riley's Lock on the C&O Canal in
Montgomery County.  They were very social and vocalizing a lot.  From what
we
could hear, the entire flock appeared to be Fish Crows
I have also noted the large flock of Fish Crows at Riley's over past
week or so. It has been interesting to listen to the variety of calls
they can make (all with a nasal accent).

Yesterday evening just before dark in Potomac vicinity (not far from
Montgomery Mall), I watched at least 300 crows pass over head in the
direction of Rockville. The only calls I heard were Fish Crow. Not a
single American Crow call. Is it possible the American Crows abandon the
winter roost to set up territory and breed earlier in year than Fish
Crows, thereby leaving the late winter roost to consist mainly of Fish
Crows?

Andy Martin
Gaithersburg