I normally would have answered via off line email to the 2 emails I got
regarding my ID of a Cliff Swallow on Saturday Feb 16, 2008 at
Ridgefield NWR. One from Tim Rodenkirk, and the other from Tom Aversa.

They both think:
A) Cliff Swallow is very early to be here now.
B) Drab or juvenile Barn Swallow is the more likely right now.

Since these two experienced guys have doubts, others may also, so:
My response:

I'm the kind of guy that usually demurs to all those more knowledgeable
than me (which is a big flock of birders).

1) Constraint: You can't get out of your car at Ridgefield NWR "S"
Unit between Oct 1 and April 30.

2) Constraint: There is only so much lateral / vertical moving one can
do while trying to follow a 30mph Swallow from a car window; much more
limited than if one were standing beside the car.

3) Juv Swallows (per Sibley) are listed as in that plumage thru Dec,
and this is mid Feb, so I was thinking an adult was what I saw.

4) I just saw a clear Barn Swallow last Tuesday, and was again looking
for a Barn merely as a "day bird". I was not looking for Cliff or any
other Swallow. I was only trying to pull a Barn out of about a hundred
Tree Swallows at that spot (over both North & South Quigley Lakes).

I never have held fast to any ID of mine, Tim and Tom, so I really
would not say Rock Solid that it was a Cliff; especially if it might be
some Super Early arrival. As I mentioned, I was actually Looking for
Barn Swallows, as I had seen one last Tuesday. I was surprised just
because I was scanning for Barns, and came up with what I thought was a
Cliff, then lost it and could not relocate it. I did try to find the
bird again but only saw Tree Swallows before and after.

I will not likely get back up there until Tuesday, so when I do, I will
look more critically at Swallows and report back to OBOL and Tweeters.


Being a perpetual intermediate birder, I am usually focused on avoiding
chores and getting outdoors rather than being focused on timing
subtleties, or being attached to some rarity, and so I demure to a
funky Barn Swallow.

One thing I have always enjoyed about birding (other than avoiding
chores) is the continual education. This has only been enhanced
through the OBOL and Tweeters lists.

Thanks,

Bill Clemons
SW of Portland in Mtn Park
Willclemons AT Yahoo dot com



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