C&O Canal - Violette's Lock
Maryland · Northeast
Moderate
April-May, September-October
Free
Open daily, sunrise to sunset
About This Location
C&O Canal - Violette's Lock is a productive birding destination in Maryland, with 279 species recorded on eBird. This forest and wetland habitat attracts Canada Goose, Tundra Swan, and Wood Duck among many others. Spring and fall migration bring waves of warblers and shorebirds through the area.
Location
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Notable Species
Live Bird Data
Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Notable Sightings
Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days
Baltimore Oriole
Icterus galbula
Nashville Warbler
Leiothlypis ruficapilla
Least Bittern
Botaurus exilis
Cape May Warbler
Setophaga tigrina
Grasshopper Sparrow
Ammodramus savannarum
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
Orchard Oriole
Icterus spurius
Great Crested Flycatcher
Myiarchus crinitus
Wood Thrush
Hylocichla mustelina
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Bufflehead
Common Merganser
Mourning Dove
Spotted Sandpiper
Ring-billed Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Cooper's Hawk
Bald Eagle
Broad-winged Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Birding Tips
- 1
Listen for vocalizations to locate canopy-dwelling warblers and vireos.
- 2
Check forest edges and clearings for flycatchers and thrushes.
- 3
Visit during mid-May for peak warbler migration.
- 4
Bring insect repellent — wetland areas can have significant mosquito activity, especially in warmer months.
- 5
Waterproof boots are recommended as trails near marshes can be muddy, especially after rain.
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- C&O Canal towpath
- Riley's Lock
- Seneca Creek State Park
More in Maryland
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
Maryland's premier birding refuge with nesting Bald Eagles and vast tidal marshes.
Rock Creek Park
DC's largest urban forest with spring warbler migration, breeding owls, and Pileated Woodpeckers.
C&O Canal National Historical Park
184-mile riparian corridor along the Potomac with exceptional spring warbler diversity and Bald Eagles.
Maryland Birding Guide
Complete guide to birding in Maryland →