I spent an enjoyable 2-1/2 hours this morning (5/19) in one of my 
favorite DC birding places:  the C&O Canal towpath between Fletcher's 
Cove (aka Fletcher's Boathouse) and the Montgomery County line 
upstream from Chain Bridge.

Best birds today were: (1) a singing MOURNING WARBLER in a thick 
tangle of honeysuckle in front of the stone wall, near the water 
control structure just before you reach Little Falls Branch. (There's 
a red brick building visible on the far side of the parkway 
here.)  (2) Two different ALDER FLYCATCHERS -- one a dark-headed 
little empid. singing a 2-note song that was unfamiliar to me (I 
later discovered it's an Alder alternate song), and another bird 
singing the much more familiar sneezy song.  Both Alders were 
upstream from Chain Bridge. (3) a GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH that popped up 
in front of me, perched at eye level and called for several 
minutes.  It did not sing and was more soft brown than cold gray, 
making me hope for Bicknell's, but the call was right for 
Gray-cheeked.  The Gray-cheeked was in the wet woods just up from 
Fletcher's, in an area frequented by fishermen and often covered with trash.

I heard two YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERs singing -- one near where the 
paved Capital Crescent Trail crosses Canal Rd. on the old railroad 
bridge, and the other in the wet woods just down from Chain 
Bridge.  In all I heard or saw 5 PROTHONOTARY WARBLERs -- 2 near 
Fletchers's and the others, including a fidgety scolding pair, 
probably near a nest, upstream from Chain Bridge.

Another item of note was the plentifulness of Warbling Vireos and 
Canada Warblers, which were seemingly everywhere.  A Barred Owl flew 
over the CC Trail, perched in full view and proceeded to be swarmed 
over by aggrieved songbirds and a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers.

For those who haven't tried it -- this is a darn good birding 
area.  The principal drawbacks to birding here are the high noise 
levels from the adjacent Clara Barton Parkway and from aircraft and 
helicopters overhead.   The Capital Crescent Trail section is full of 
fast-moving cycle commuters during rush hours; they give no quarter 
to slow moving and distracted birders, so be prepared.  And beware of 
friendly but unleashed dogs that have just enjoyed a nice dip in the canal.

Getting into the Fletcher's Boathouse parking lot during the morning 
weekday rush hour is a difficult affair.  Please contact me off-line 
if you need to find out how to accomplish it.

Mike Bowen
Montgomery Bird Club, MOS
Bethesda, MD

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

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