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Subject:

C&O Canal Count - Miles 22-24 (RHWP > CAGO!)

From:

Janet Millenson

Reply-To:

Janet Millenson

Date:

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:46:10 -0500

Today Brad Beukema, Chris Wright and I did the C&O Canal midwinter count 
along the towpath starting at Milepost 22 (Violette's Lock) and continuing 
past Riley's Lock (Seneca) up to Milepost 25. Over that three-mile stretch, 
we literally found more RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS than Canada Geese. The RHWP's 
were located beyond Milepost 24, as in previous years. At one point we saw 
four adult birds at the same time. Overall, we tallied eight adults and two 
immatures. If you go in search of these birds, look high up in the sycamores 
across the canal.

We saw the six other woodpecker species as well. Ducks were present in 
relatively small numbers, and bluebirds were surprisingly absent. One of the 
day's highlights was a lengthy look at a Winter Wren foraging in the open in 
bright sunlight -- a "life look," Chris called it -- a rare opportunity to 
appreciate the intricately barred plumage of this small, secretive bird.

Janet Millenson
Potomac, MD (Montgomery County)

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"Look at the birds!" -- Pascal the parrot