After yesterday's DE Pelagic (10 minutes in MD does not count), a group of
us set out to find Cave Swallows in Worcester, especially after hearing the
success stories on Saturday. The weather appeared to be favorable as the front
had come through on Saturday afternoon, likely pushing the Eagle's Nest and
Assateague birds to the coast. We were expecting the swallows to be hanging
around because the evening was full of showers and fog.
We were very successful, with 8-12 Cave Swallows observed in 3 locations.
Based on the behavior of these birds, we believe that the sightings were of
different individuals. The summary of the sightings follows, times are
approximate:
7:15am - 1 Cave and 1 Barn Swallow observed at the east side of Verrazano
bridge to Assateague by Burchett and Hafner. They appeared to have roosted
under the bridge and kept flying out then back under and never relocated despite
almost an hour of waiting.
7:25am - 1 Cave and 1 Tree Swallow observed from the Verrazano biking bridge
flying high from east to west by Burchett and Hafner. Photos by Burchett.
10:00am - 1 Cave Swallow observed flying south past the South Point boat
ramp by Holbrook and Baer.
10:30am - 1 Cave Swallow flying around the field west of the Verrazano
Bridge found by Holbrook and Baer. The most cooperative swallow of the day
remaining for 15 minutes allowing Burchett, Hafner, Stasz, Powell, and the Saunders
to view it. Video by Stasz. Left by flying south down the bayside.
11:15am - 3 Cave Swallows flying south past the Verrazano bridge by Stasz.
11:15am - 4 unidentified swallows flying over the OC inlet parking lot by
Hafner, who was discussing the legality of dropping someone off right at the
jetty with the local law enforcement (it is illegal by the way because it is a
no stopping area). No binoculars were used, but they did not appear to be
Trees as they were dusky underneath.
Noon - 1 Cave Swallow flying past the inlet, only 10 feet over the heads of
Burchett, Hafner,
Holbrook, and Baer. Spent about a minute flying around with Bonaparte's
Gulls over the inlet before continuing south.
A great day to say the least. Hans will be posting most of the other birds.
Matt Hafner
Bel Air, MD
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