Walked for about and  hour or so on the canal from the Great Falls parking
lot upriver towards Swains lock late this afternoon. It was very birdy.  Saw
several male Baltimore orioles and one male Orchard oriole; heard more of
both species. Saw no females; they are presumably on eggs about now.
 Saw several Great Crested flycatchers, and heard many more.  Heard and saw
an Acadian flycatcher and a Pee-wee as well. Heard several warbling vireos,
and clearly heard a Prothonotary warbler close several times, but could not
find it for a look. Thought I heard a Yellow-throated vireo as well.
 Over the river were Purple martins, tree swallows, No. Rough-wing swallows
and Chimney Swifts. Regrettably, I did not see any Nighthawks this time, as
I did a few days ago.
 Up the path, by the upper entrance to the river trail, a Barred owl flew up
from the side of the creek and landed in a tree about 30 feet in front of
me. After staring at each other for a minute or so, it flew across the canal
right in front of me and landed directly across from me.  I checked for some
chicks, but failed to find any.
Most interesting, however, was the very large number of  Cedar Waxwings.
They were numerous, perching in many of the trees on the tow path and in
most of the trees in the parking area.  There were many flying around as
well. I think there were at least a hundred, and there could easily have
been many more. They seemed to be everywhere. The most waxwings I have ever
seen at one time at one place.
-- 
Donald Sweig
Falls Church, Va.