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Subject:

Re: swallows staging now in PG County

From:

"Frederick W. Fallon"

Reply-To:

Maryland Birds & Birding

Date:

Fri, 25 Jun 2004 21:52:18 -0400

Jeff Shenot wrote:

> 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
>
Sort of shows how the safe dates aren't just made up after all.

- Fred

--
Fred Fallon
PG Coordinator, MD-DC Breeding Bird Atlas
Bowie MD