Went for a short walk along the C&O Canal, roughly mile markers 7-8, this morning.
 
Highlights were:
 
Double-crested Cormorant - since 2002 at least there has been a colony of these birds on an island opposite mile marker 8.  This peaked at about a dozen occupied nests at one point, but last year was down to fewer than half of this.  This morning I could count only one nest, which had two birds on it, so this seems to be the end for this site.  Perhaps there is another, larger, colony somewhere else in the vicinity to which returning birds are relocating?
 
Solitary (single) and Spotted (pair) Sandpipers
 
Eastern Wood-Peewee - single bird
 
Vireos - highlight of walk was watching a female Warbling Vireo at eye level, 10 ft away, gleaning downy material from an open seed pod then flying back up to place it in the nest - which was in a branch of a locust overhanging the river.  A delightfully understated bird with a faint yellow wash on the underparts. The male was all the time singing away keeping a watchful eye on her.  Single Yellow-throated and several Red-eyed heard.
 
Warblers - of the expected breeders, good numbers of N Parula and nice views of a male Prothonotary.  No Yellow-throated nor L. Waterthrush heard.  Migrants included singles of Blue-winged, Nashville and Black-throated Blue.  Also one Yellow Warbler heard singing, likley a migrant but could possibly stay and breed.
 
Both Baltimore and Orchard Orioles in good numbers.
 
Regards
 
Clive