Hi Tweets,

Gail Spitler writes:

>Today on my census run, a significant drop in all bird activity was clearly
>evident. Species that 2 or 3 weeks ago I would see and here a dozen of have
>dropped less than 5; eg, Willow Flycatcher. Others, like the Yellow Warbler
>and American Redstart are invisible.
>Are these birds still here but quiet; busy molting and feeding? They haven't
>started migrating have they?
>
>What about swallows, specifically Tree and Violet-green. Obviously they are
>finished with family chores, but where are they? A week or so ago, they
>seemed to be flocking up; now they are not here. So where are they?

Very possibly headed south, Gail. All of the species you name normally have
one brood only and once the young are fledged, adults and young leave within
a few days. later mid-July (Weeks 3/4) is when the southbound passerine
migration gets underway, so the timing sounds right.

Michael Price A brave world, Sir,
Vancouver BC Canada full of religion, knavery, and change;
mprice at mindlink.net we shall shortly see better days.
Aphra Behn (1640-1689)