Subject: Northern Rough-winged Swallows & Purple Martins
Date: May 31 22:39:02 1998
From: Leslie Ann Rose - sylph at nwlink.com


Tweets~*~

My weekly Sunday morning bird survey along SR509 turned up some Northern
Rough-winged Swallows (6 in all) just West of East 11th Street on SR509.
It has been several years since we have seen this species in this area.
A lot of activity was centered around a clearing along the bank on the
North side of SR509 and upon closer investigation, found what seems to
be several nesting cavities in the bank.

In the past week or so, we have noticed a goodly number of Purple
Martins making virtue out of vice within the industrial waterfront of
Commencement Bay. We have found them in old pipes and water lines (4-6"
diameter) along abandoned industrial sites. These sites as well as
cavities in old pilings in the area seem preferable to the birds. In
more than one instance, perfectly good, ready to use, unoccupied nesting
boxes are found adjacent to the occupied sites.

Closer to home, as of today, our 3 nesting boxes are occupied and
seemingly they have set about the business of beginning a new
generation.
Earlier this week, I was treated to the sight of a juv. Bald Eagle who
attemted to rest on one of the pilings. Within minutes 10 or 11 Martins
where harrassing and diving at the Eagle, presumably to send it on its
way. Finally, after about 8 minutes, the Eagle took off and the Martins
seemingly performed a victory flight chirping loudly before settling
back down. I've watched them drive gulls, crows, and Kingfishers from
their perches, but it was the first time I'd seen them take on an
Eagle. Quite a sight.

At dusk this evening on Commencement Bay (about 8:30) heard the
unmistakeably call of a Western Grebe. I thought by now all of them
would be at nesting/summering grounds. Although the last of our
over-wintering Western Grebes were still at the mouth of Hylebos
Waterway on May 18th. Isn't it a little late for Western Grebes to
still be around?

Leslie Ann Rose
Tacoma, WA