Re: Peregine Falcon & Barn Swallows
Marcia Watson-Whitmyre (mww@UDel.Edu)
Fri, 01 May 1998 14:00:14 -0400
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Lou Shomette wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Yesterday, while waiting for fellow birder Tim Boucher at the bridge
> to Roosevelt Island in DC, I saw something I'm not quite sure what to
> make of it...
>
> Barn Swallows are building nests below the bridge that crosses over
> the Potomac to Roosevelt Island. After skittering over the water,
> searching for insects, the Swallows formed into a group and headed in
> the direction of Rosslyn about 30 feet above treetop. A few seconds
> later, a Peregrine Falcon came from the direction the Swallows were
> heading, crossing over the Potomac. Immediately following the
> Peregrine was the group of Barn Swallows. They weren't mobbing the
> Peregrine like crows mob hawks, but the definitely seemed like they
> were trying to drive the Peregrine away. Half way down the island the
> Barn Swallows returned to their nesting area.
>
> Has anyone experienced anything like this? Is this a common defensive
> behavior for Swallows? Any help would be appreciated.
>
> Lou Shomette
> Columbia, MD
>
> PS We had several Wood Thrush, Veery and Eastern Towhees. Lots of
> Yellow-rumped Warblers, Northern Parula, Ovenbird and a Scarlet
> Tanager. Also, my first Hummingbird Clearwing moth of the year.
We've Barn Swallows nesting in our barn for about 10 years now, and they
frequently escort large birds (just about anything bigger than a jay) off the
property. They seem to do this more often when they have nestlings, rather
than just eggs, in the nest. It amazes me that the swallows may not be
anywhere within sight, but if a Coop or Sharpie or a crow shows up in the
vicinity of the barn, the swallows appear out of nowhere. And Lou, you're
right, they don't mob, they just "usher." They don't seem to bother with our
local Red-Tails as long as the hawks are cruising high up.
Marcia Watson-Whitmyre
Cecil County
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