[obol] Ridgefield Cliff Swallow ID in question. (lessons on observing)

[Scott Carpenter]

As I reported previously to Tweeters, this past Friday I saw about 18
swallows at the River S Unit of Ridgefield NWR.  I positively identified 2
as BARN SWALLOWS and 13 as TREE SWALLOWS.  What I did not report was that I
caught a brief glimpse of a swallow that could easily have passed for a
CLIFF SWALLOW.  I tried in vain to relocate it, but eventually gave up since
I was confined to the inside of my vehicle.

What I did see in my all too brief glimpse of this mystery swallow was a
swallow with broad wings, a square tail, pale belly, and a reddish throat.
Had this been the proper season, I would have most likely called it a CLIFF
SWALLOW without hesitation.  But it wasn't the right time of year, and it
wasn't a very good look, so I filed it under "unidentified swallow" (where
it will stay in my personal records).  I usually don't share my
"unidentified" sightings, but in light of Bill's post from Saturday, I
obviously now feel compelled to share it.

Since I started keeping detailed records 11 years ago, I have seen thousands
of swallows of all the typical North American species:  Barn (immature and
adult), Cliff, Violet-Green, Tree, Bank, and Northern Rough-winged Swallows
(and Purple Martins).   For several spring counts in Chicago, I would get
counts of each species in mixed flocks (of the five expected -- all of the
above less VG), so I have _some_ (although not extensive) previous
experience using the GISS approach to picking out and identifying
individuals in mixed flocks.  I have much less experience with Cave Swallows
-- I have seen dozens to hundreds, all in Texas.

My personal take is that there likely was a CLIFF/CAVE SWALLOW at
Ridgefield, so people may want to keep that in mind if they go there.

Scott Carpenter
SW Portland





On Feb 17, 2008 8:44 AM, Bill Clemons <willclemons at yahoo.com> wrote:

> 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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