Last evening at Mt. Calvert (Jug Bay area) I noticed the annual aggregation
of swallows has begun.  There were about 75 present, dominated by tree and
barn, with a few nrw's mixed in.  I expect the number to grow significantly
over the next week or so.  I've watched them here for the last couple
years, and it is surprisingly well-timed with the close of the safe dates!
As they have in the past, I anticipate the purple martins will show up here
soon to join the fun.

Unfortunately, the swallows were vastly outnumbered by another bird staging
here now - European starlings.  I conservatively estimated about 600 were
in the fields foraging in various flocks and they made quite a racket.
hope they disappear soon.

This morning I saw about 250 swallows (nearly all barns, with approximately
an equal number of nrw's and trees mixed in) that were roosting in cattails
and other marsh vegetation near a stormwater management pond in Upper
Marlboro.  A few were in the air foraging, but most were still perched.

Jeff Shenot
Croom