Hi all:

I read some very interesting reports re: swifts on NJ and NC listserves, and thought MD birders may find useful the following excerpted info.  As a result of a recent Black Swift report from NC (Sep 19), there has been some discussion on this at various listserves.  Be aware that for traditional large swift roosts (or observed flocks), to be on lookout for swift species other than Chimney Swift this fall.  It sounds like the roost you posted about is a good example for one to watch carefully for any large swifts which may not be a Chimney Swift.

Jeff Shenot
Croom MD

Here is the excerpt (from NJ):

Please read this gleaned message on the Mass listserve a while back:

*"Subject: Be alert for large swifts and other Hurricane Irene leftovers!*
From: Marshall Iliff 
Date: Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:34:45 -0400

MASSBIRD,

It has become apparent that Hurricane Irene displaced more than just seabirds. In addition to the Brown-chested Martin in Cape Chalres, VA, on 28 Aug, which *might* have been related to Hurricane Irene, one other extremely
interesting passerine record has surfaced. Today I saw images of a GREAT KISKADEE which was photographed aboard a ship in New York Harbor on 28 Aug, the day of Hurricane Irene's passage. With no other well-documented East
Coast records, this bird does seem likely to have been the result of Irene. Kiskadees are introduced to and common on Bermuda, so perhaps the storm displaced a restless bird to New York. Either way, it should remind us to keep our eyes out and to get out birding this week. [I would not draw a hurricane connection for the Yellow-green Vireo, especially since it is molting ad may have been present for some time...but I wouldn't necessarily rule it out either!]

Of perhaps even more interest, is the fact that I have now heard of four separate sightings of large swifts on the East Coast in the week following Hurricane Irene. It seems likely that these all may have been Caribbean Black Swift, given the track of the Hurricane and the tentative identification of the Cape May swift as that taxon. These birds may have all moved back south already, but it would behoove us all to visit known swift roosts, watch any migrating swifts, swallows, and nighthawks (see below) carefully, and to generally keep the possibility of a large swift species in mind when birding. Look up, and be alert!

The sightings I have heard of are as follows:
1. Photographed at Cape May, NJ, 28 Aug 2011:http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S8742057. Very likely a BlackSwift, and presumed Caribbean given storm's track.
2. Glimpsed over the Hudson River, seen form Manhattan, 28 Aug 2011. Impression was of "large swift"
3. One seen well moving south with nighthawks (!) at Herman Covey WMA, Hampshire Co., by Larry Therrien, on 1 Sep 2011. I hope Larry does not mind me sharing this very interesting sighting. Seehttp://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S8753079
4. Two seen by a very reliable observer at James Island, Charleston, SC, in direct comparison with Chimney Swifts, 30 Aug 2011. Suspected of being BlackSwift: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S8754288
Places to check might be any known areas of swift/swallow concentrations (Great Meadows NWR and Cumberland Farms come to mind), any Chimney Swift roosts, and any migration spots like Pilgrim Heights, Lot 1 at Plum Island,
or any hawkwatch or ridgeline where nighthawks move. That Larry Therrien's bird was moving with nighthawks is extremely interesting I think.

Let us all know immediately if you see such a bird. Documenting and conclusively identifying any large swift will be a real challenge and the quicker the word gets out the better!

Best,
Marshall Iliff 

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