Subject: Re: Vaux's Swifts
Date: Apr 25 00:50:59 1997
From: jcbowling at mindlink.bc.ca - jcbowling at mindlink.bc.ca


** Reply to note from tweeters at u.washington.edu Fri, 25 Apr 1997 00:08:07 PDT


> Is it me, or do reports of swifts indeed seem early this year? Haven't seen
> one myself yet, but I do remember wanting to point them out to murrelet
> survey trainees in May of years past, and not having any around to show
> them (even in areas where they nest later in the season). Are they early
> this year? If so, Jack Bowling, any ideas as to why? Is it "buggier" aloft
> this year?

Vaux's Swifts usually show up in southern BC the first two days of May, so yes,
it seems that they are on the early side this year. What is more remarkable
about their return is that they often show remarkable synchrony in their
return across a large geographic distance, suggesting that they return in a
broad rapidly-moving front. As to whether it is "buggier" aloft this year,
I cannot say. Cool nights have delayed greenup here in central BC, so I
would imagine that the progression of insect hatches is also a bit late. But
eventually, we will be treated to the swifts taking runs at the small twigs
at the top of the cottonwoods. After a few tries, they wing away with a twig
seemingly too big for such a small bird to handle.

- Jack



Jack Bowling
Prince George, BC
jcbowling at mindlink.bc.ca