Date: 10/14/12 7:14 am
From: Harry Armistead <harryarmistead...>
Subject: [MDBirding] Tree Swallow roost



September 29, 2012. Ramp Lane, Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge, c. 5:30-7:15 P.M.

This episode was omitted from my recent field notes covering the period September 23-October 9.

Dusk watch, Ramp Lane, with, if my memory serves right, Bob Anderson, Thuy Tran, Chris & Betsy Foster, Dave Bent, Liz Armistead, Charles Hopkins, Paul & Priscilla Thut, Mary Cotton, and Tom Corl.

The highlight is a huge, pre-roosting spectacle of thousands of Tree Swallows, initially seen right overhead at Ramp Lane, then in the distance going through their paces prior to roosting on Fisherman Island. Over Fisherman they form 3 separate flocks, rapidly shifting back and forth, some in a sinuous, winding helix, others in a huge, tightly-packed black ball.

In the fading light, well after sunset, the flocks are quite easily seen with the unaided eye, even though 2 miles distant. In previous years Tree Swallows have roosted in the Phragmites beds on the south side of Oyster harbor, but I haven�t seen them there for a while. Some people would come to Kiptopeke just to see this. Suddenly the birds descend, within seconds, at high speed, into the reeds and there is not a single bird left in the sky. Presto!

Other sightings September 29 from Ramp Lane: 210 White Ibis, 4 quail, 15 Great Egrets, 4 Merlins, 7 Great Blue Herons, a Tricolored Heron, 2 adult Bald Eagles, 25 Snowy Egrets, and 8 Clapper Rails (heard).

Best to all. � Harry Armistead, Philadelphia.

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