Re: [MDOsprey] Cave Swallows (in Cape May)

Miliff@aol.com
Wed, 3 Nov 1999 23:52:25 EST 

Charlie et al.

The Rough-winged Swallow you had today at Pt. Lookout is quite possibly part 
of the same movement as the Cape May Cave Swallow show.  May be evidence that 
some of the displacement has occurred as far s. as MD and should be reason to 
pay extra attention to ANY swallows around now.

I have a rumor that Pt. Pelee, ON, has had the same phenomenon - Cave Swallow 
fallout.  I agree with Michael that Pt. Lookout is probably the most likely 
place to be productive, but below are some other options if you can't make it 
down there.  Below I offer a few ideas of late swallow places, just in case 
anyone has time to look.  

EASTERN SHORE
* West Ocean City Pond (treated in Claudia Wilds' book)
* Hurlock WWTP (directions posted earlier this fall, shows up on the DeLorme 
Atlas as a big set of ponds just se. of Hurlock, which is located in central 
Dorchester County
* Easton WWTP (again, directions available from MD Osprey archives, just e. 
of Easton, Talbot County, off Dover Neck Rd. Be sure to ask permission to 
bird there)
* Terrapin Point Park (just across Bay Bridge (Queen Anne's County side), 
take first exit and go north.  Take your first left, followed by first right, 
followed by first left.  The road curves around and Terrapin Point Park is on 
your left.  you will need to walk in, but the fields and ponds there seem 
good - I had a late Rough-winged Swallow here once...)

WESTERN SHORE
* Potomac River (several late swallow records -- esp. Piscataway Creek area)
* Patuxent Naval Air Station (Greg and Kyle I'm sure will be doing their 
best...)
* Ft. Smallwood (over the pond?)
* Jug Bay
* Anywhere on the Bay Shore might expect a movement of southbound swallows

PIEDMONT
Not likely to produce much in this department, but best bet will be
* Potomac River areas (Violette's Lock etc.)
* Lilypons

I would think anywhere you have seen Tree Swallows recently should be 
checked, which could be any small pond in a field or marsh area.  If anyone 
can get to the coast surely there will be Tree Swallow flocks around which 
will be the place to look.  Assateague often has large Tree Swallow flocks 
which might be frustrating to sort through, but also might produce MD's first 
Cave Swallow.

Best of luck -- no Caves offshore since late September!

Best,

Marshall Iliff
miliff@aol.com


sqr