Steve, 

   February appearances of Tree Swallows in Maryland are not regular but frequent. At least 13 Maryland counties (mostly Coastal Plain, but also Montgomery and Allegany) have February arrival records. However, for DC the previous early record in my database is March 7, 2004. 

Bob Ringler 
Eldersburg MD 
 



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Hersey" <> 
To:  
Sent: Monday, February 22, 2010 11:32:06 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Tree Swallows - DC 

I almost dropped my binoculars in the Tidal Basin when I saw two Tree   
Swallows flying around over the 3/4 frozen Tidal Basin in DC.  One of   
them was being based by a Ring-billed Gull and was being matched turn   
for turn - pretty impressive flying by the gull.  The swallows were   
probably 20 feet from me at their closest and then disappeared down   
the far side of the Tidal Basin.  Spring is coming, but isn't this a   
bit early for them?? 

Cheers, 
Steve Hersey 
Washington, DC