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Re: FW: A bird question from Warwick, MD

From:

Felicia Lovelett

Reply-To:

Felicia Lovelett

Date:

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 06:45:13 -0400

Here is what I've noticed this year about some of the breeding birds in my
area:

Generally, there were fewer insects in the late spring and early summer due
to rain and cooler temperatures. Judging from the number of bites that I
received this week, I think that perhaps the insect population has recovered
now!

Barn Swallow: although my colony of 20-25 pairs seems to be raising the
usual number of fledglings, on Wednesday I discovered an entire nest of 3-4
chicks dead in the nest. They were probably within 5 days of fledging
(sheathed primaries were 75% emerged). My guess is that something happened
to one of the parents and the chicks starved. Most of my BARS nests are up
too high to monitor closely, but this incident did alarm and sadden me. I'll
be watching the adjacent nest carefully.

Cliff Swallow: the number of Cliff Swallow nesting on the Sykesville bridge
seems to be way down. I counted about 35-40 birds when the colony arrived in
early May, but now there are only 10-12 active nests. Usually there are
20-25 nests.

Eastern Bluebird: my nesting bluebirds have had a terrible year thus far:
most of the chicks that fledge do not survive. I've only seen two juveniles
on the farm (out of 15 fledged thus far).

Tree Swallow: had a very good year. Five nests fledged with about a 90%
success rate. Most of the young birds were observed flying with their
parents before they all departed early this week.

Markedly lower counts this year: Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Ruby-throated
Hummingbird.


Felicia Lovelett
Sykesville, MD

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Maryland Birds & Birding [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Patricia Valdata
Sent: Thursday, July 09, 2009 8:00 PM
To: 
Subject: [MDOSPREY] FW: A bird question from Warwick, MD

Hello, experts.

 

Can anyone provide an answer to this query I received?

 

Thanks,

 

Pat Valdata

Elkton

Subject: A bird question from Warwick, MD

 

Good morning. We are hoping that you can solve a birding mystery for us. 

 

My husband and I live in Warwick, MD on an old farm that we are renovating.
We live on 3.5 acres of former farmland.  We have one large barn, one
smaller barn and 2 smaller out buildings as well.  Behind us is a large
field planted in corn.  We have neighbors on 2 sides all of whom are
surrounded by open fields.

 

Each year for the past 3 years we have had several nesting pairs (usually at
least 3) of barn swallows.  We also usually have chimney swifts and tree
swallows.     

 

This year the barn swallows came as usual and started building nests in the
barn and the shed.  We noticed after a while that we did not see the
swallows any more and that at least one nest had been abandoned with eggs in
it.  Also, we have not seen any chimney swifts this year and the tree
swallows are few and far between.  We notice that we do not see barn
swallows on the wires down the road which we had always seen in the area as
well. 

 

Other observations include a noticeable lack of the usual bugs in the
vicinity even at night.  We have a hawk in the area that has been
terrorizing our other birds.  Also, this year we have an abundance of
mocking birds with nests in trees all over the property.  

 

I cannot think of any other info that may help solve the mystery.  We are
very sorry that the swallows have abandoned us as we watch them with great
interest every year.  I can't say that our 2 cats miss them as I am certain
that they are happy not to be dive bombed in the yard every day!  

 

We certainly appreciate any insights you may have on this issue.

 

Thank you.