>This morning (Sunday) at about 10:00, a large flock of swifts were noted
>in my neighborhood (Madrona, at the intersection of 35th Ave. and Cherry
>St. in Seattle). In about 2 minutes, I counted at least 60 swifts flying
>by, all headed south along the lakeshore. I assumed this to be a
>migratory flock, and diligently looked for Black Swifts among the
>lower-flying birds. I didn't see any, but I was wondering if the Tweets
>have some helpful hints about high-flying swifts? I've seen descriptions
>of their flights and looked for differences, but still can't seem to see
>this. Even at Stevens Pass once, when I knew they were Black Swifts, it
>was difficult to see the differences in flight patterns (maybe because
>they were so low, other things were obvious). I'd like to be able to
>pick apart the swifts at 100 yards...
>
>Mike Smith
>University of Washington
>whimbrel at u.washington.edu

In my experience, directed southbound flights of swifts in fall have always
been Vaux's. We're just getting past the time of year when large flocks of
black swifts come down from the mountains on rotten days and feed over L.
Washington and other lowland areas (often right over Seattle), but it's
probably not too late for that. Black swifts, high or low, have a majesty
about them--much slower wingbeats than Vaux's, while traveling just as fast
through the air. They are more than 2x the size of Vaux's and really look
long-winged and long-tailed compared with Vaux's. Blacks typically fly
higher, but they come down right over water bodies and occasionally low
over open country (you hear their wings whistle when they are close, not so
for Vaux's). Snoqualmie Pass is a good relatively close place to watch for
black swifts in summer.

Sunday was an interesting day indeed; finally some "bad" weather to
precipitate migrants all over the state.

Dennis Paulson
University of Puget Sound