Greetings All

Flickers- yes, I do think they flock. In part, this may have to do with their
migratory habits. Though many North American woodpeckers may have dispersal
movements, few truly migrate. Flickers and Lewis' Woodpeckers are two that
do, and Lewis' Woodpeckers flock, too. In Chicago, flocks of flickers can be
found flying (trying saying that three times fast) down the lakefront during
fall migration. Back when I fed birds (before pigeons, cats, and rats
invaded) in my yard, at least two distinct flicker flocks came to the yard,
both about 7 birds, each with its own 1-2 hybrid birds. I suspect that, much
as flocks of migratory passerines, these are not family groups.

Barn Swallows- I have been mystified by the appearance of mid-winter Barn
Swallows in WA. I don't think that they could survive for any extended period
of time here during winter. And they don't stick in one spot. When they
appear in winter, they are ephemeral. So they don't truly appear to be trying
to winter. Also, the appearance of these birds can be anytime during winter
-- in other words, they don't appear to be migrants. So, where are they
coming from? I think Wayne Weber's suggestion that they arrive on strong
southerlies makes a lot of sense. Why they ride these winds north is still
mystifying. Tree and Violet-green Swallows winter much further north and in
larger numbers. Though they are occassionally found during mid-winter, they
are not found (until the migrants arrive in Feb) in the same kind of numbers
as Barns. Mid-winter Barn Swallows are uncommon to rare even in southern
California. Amazing.

Cheers
Steven Mlodinow
Everett WA
SGMlod at aol.com