I stopped by Wagner Elementary (Monroe) last evening from 8:00 to 8:45 PM
(official sunset was 8:17) to check on the Class of '08. Neil from Brier
arrived few minutes later. The sky was heavily overcast and a very light
intermittent rain was keeping things moist. Over that period we were
thrilled to see 23 Vaux Swifts materialize in groups of 1-3 and drop into
the historic and apparently doomed chimney. I was able to achieve a grainy
photo of one suspended over the flue (useless for ID, it could be anything
from a Winter Wren to a Wild Turkey).

It was apparent that some swifts were cutting classes. My question
is--where were most the hundreds of swifts seen on Friday? Were we late,
did they alter pattern for the weather and stay in or out? Or have they
already departed for other regions? Is there a reigning authority on Vaux
Swifts whose learned writings we can access? A definitive monograph?


Marvin S. Hoekstra
Sammamish, WA
marvin dot hoekstra at verizon dot net



-----Original Message-----
From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu
[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Larry
Schwitters
Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2008 10:09 PM
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: [Tweeters] Vaux's Swifts are here

Tweeters,

I'm getting reports from all over the state, and Idaho, of increasing
numbers of Vaux's Swifts at roost sites. I had 419 individuals into
the new site on private property not far from Issaquah tonight. Sunset
is prime viewing time. You might consider going out and looking for
some in your neighborhood.

Larry Schwitters
Issaquah

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