In a message dated 8/10/2008 7:59:23 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
 writes:

This  evening around 5:30 PM, I saw a group of unfamiliar swallows: 6  PURPLE
MARTINS and 6 CLIFF SWALLOWS. They foraged over the pastures and  scrubland
for nearly an hour before flying off to the southeast.

I  haven't seen any Cliff Swallows here for about two weeks. On Thursday,  a
single bird flying with the Barn Swallows  landed on my roof and  spent a few
minutes picking at the shingles. I have only seen one Purple  Martin here in
three years.

My Barn Swallow colony is beginning to  thin out. On Thursday I counted 32
(total colony 40-50) perched on a rafter  in the upper level of the bank
barn. Today there were only about 15-20  birds. There are still two nests
with unfledged young. It will be so very  quiet here when they leave.

Felicia  Lovelett




I was watching small numbers of Purple Martins flying around here all  
afternoon on Sunday, ahead of the storm (which never really materialized here),  
along with Barn and Tree Swallows. Lots of hummers also; I have expanded my  
feeders to 4, from only 2 a couple of weeks ago. Filling 1 or 2 almost daily  too.
 
Rick Sussman
Woodbine,MD
 (mailto:[log in to unmask]) 
 



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