I discovered a single Cliff Swallow nest below the bridge on rt. 144 between
Ellicott City and Oella this morning.  I also observed a pair of Cliff
Swallows in flight.

I first noticed a swallow with pale forehead and short tail on the mud on a
small island just below the north side of the bridge.  By the time that that
information had processed in my brain and I realized what I had seen, the
bird had flown.  I lingered a bit, trying to find one in flight among all
the Barn and N. Rough-winged Swallows (thriving colony of Barns are also
using the bridge), but no luck.  So I found my way under the bridge.  North
side is mostly covered up with plastic piping, and I observed not nests
there, though maybe some are hidden among the pipes.  The south side was
unencumbered, and I noticed several Barn Swallow nests atop a pipe running
along the outside of the bridge.  Then I noticed a single jug-like nest
attached to the bridge support, in other words, on the left side of the
overhang, about mid-way across.  And a little head kept poking out.  I
snapped a few digital photos. I resurfaced, and ultimately did spot two
Cliff Swallows flying about on the north side.

One darn nice confirmation for the Atlas, and I am pretty sure this a
entirely new species for my Atlas Block.

Note that there was a sleeping bag and assorted other stuff on the Baltimore
side, south side (downstream), but nobody home.  So someone could be
residing there, be aware for your own safety.

I hope to be there bright and early with the scope and camera tomorrow morning.

Kurt Schwarz
HowCo
goawaybird at comcast dot net