Hi Tweets! Many thanks to all of you for local info on RUHU, VGSW, and
other swallows. Saturday (Mar.23), Lynn Dunlap and I drove to Iona sewage
ponds and Reifel. Fair numbers (10-20) of mainly VGSW at both localities
(1-2 Trees).Lady at Reifel said first RUHU arrived there 3/14 which is 2
days after first at Bellingham. On way home we visited Tennant lake and
Lake Terrell (near Ferndale). At least 1000 swallows at both locations,
hawking close to water. Of
these, nearly all were Trees (a few VGSW). They were apparently holed up by
the northeaster that really blew later on. No sign of any warblers yet.
There was a lone Mute Swan on Tennant Lake.
What has really surprised me is the fact that Cliff Swallows are showing up
a lot earlier in the interior (Walla Walla) than on the coast.Also, the
five swallow species near Boise on Saturday seems to suggest an earlier
route?
I hope that we will continue to get reports of as many migrants as possible.
Clark Blake phone: (360) 650-3595
Department of Geology fax: (360) 650-7302
Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA 98225