Swallows

Bank Swallow

Riparia riparia
By early August 1984, swallows were once again gathering near the lake, prior to their southward migration, Frank Dobson reported. “In places, utility wires are lined with shoulder-to-shoulder bank swallows, sometimes hundreds stretching from pole to pole looking like so many pins on a clothesline.” (Birds, 5 August 1984) In late summer 1989, he came across “two utility lines in north Hamlin, where birds crowded the wires for over a half mile of length. Four other locations along the way have some 1,200 feet of perching swallows.” Allowing each bird six inches of wire, he calculated a total of 13,000 bank swallows. (Birds, 13 August 1989) This is not the only way to witness large groups of these birds. “About a sand bank inhabited by these little swallows one may frequently see thousands of birds in the air darting in and out of the holes, wheeling about in every direction, and keeping up a continuous reedy, buzzing twitter quite distinct from the notes of our other swallows,” Eaton (1914) wrote. (Eaton II: 351) Indeed, Dobson noted, “at the height of breeding season, activities around a cliff face can be as busy and as noisy as a beehive.” (Birds, 31 August 1986)
Background
Known as the Sand Martin in the Old World, this is one of the most widely distributed swallows in the world, nesting in colonies in streamside banks and bluffs of rivers and streams. In North America its breeding range extends from Alaska, across most of Canada and across the northern two thirds of the U.S., with additional nesting populations along the Rio Grande. In the eastern U.S., many colonies are found in sand and gravel quarries. This swallow’s bill is more conical than in most swallows, allowing it to excavate nesting burrows. There is little information available on North American populations, or trends, because birds are concentrated in colonies that vary in size from year to year and frequently relocate as banks and bluffs become unsuitable. (BNA 414: 1, 14, 21)
Local history
Eaton (1910) considered this an abundant summer resident in Monroe County, common in Wayne and also occurring in Livingston. (Eaton I: county charts)R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, indicated average counts of four to 40 birds, with a maximum count of 10,000, on dates ranging from 13 April to 25 September. When Leo Tanghe examined 1,665 outings by Genesee Ornithological Society members from 1951-1954, this species was reported 359 times within a 50-miles radius of Rochester from the first week in April through October. Highest average counts of 100-200 were recorded the first week of July and first week of August. (KB 5:69: 5A-5B)In 1953, Tange considered this an abundant breeder in the Rochester area, specifically listing Irondequoit Bay and Powder Mill Park as nesting locations. (GOS, May/August 1953)This species seems to prefer nesting “in the vicinity of human habitation, or in sand and gravel pits being worked, rather than in abandoned ones . . . probably because mining operations keep banks freshly exposed and clean,” notes The Atlas of Breeding Birds in New York State. (Andrle, p. 272) Numbers in New York may have peaked from the 1950s to 1970s when sandpits were excavated at the height of construction and road building. After that, a stagnant economy and less building may have reduced suitable nest sites. Laws requiring landowners to grade inactive sandbanks to a gradual slope may also have contributed to their decline. (Levine, p. 402)A “possible decline in local Bank Swallow colonies” was among the “negative features” of the 1975 breeding season here, Dick O’Hara noted. (KB25: 214) The “Bank Swallow colony habitat at Hamlin Beach was bulldozed and graded by park personnel” in 1987, Bill Symonds reported. (LG, September 1987) Based on the outcomes of the Breeding Bird Atlas projects, this species appears to be in decline here. As Kevin Griffith noted in 1997: “Bank Swallow colonies are dwindling.” (KB 47: 200)
Status
The Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, very common summer resident, abundant in fall concentrations.Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this a regular common spring and fall transient and a regular fairly common summer resident.
Occurrence
Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 16 March to 1 May, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 19 to 25 April. Spring maxima: 400 on 22 May 1997 (A. Watson) Cobbs Hill. (GOS, July/August 1997)
Summer/breeding status: Colonies were reported thriving at Irondequoit Bay Park in 1989. (LG, August 1989) However, the second Breeding Bird Atlas project showed a significant decrease in blocks with evidence of breeding, a further indication that this species is declining here. Particularly noticeable was the increase in blocks without any evidence of breeding throughout most of Monroe County into eastern Orleans County.Banks along the Genesee River in Livingston County provide prime nesting habitat. (Fox, p. 69)

Huge flocks are possible mid to late summer in preparation for migration.In early August 1965, Alfred Starling estimated 3,500 were on the east spit and another 1,500 on the west spit at Braddock Bay, and “this count was only of birds on the telephone wires, and does not take into account the number … constantly flying by over the lake.” (WBR, 9 August 1965) Summer maxima: 15,000+ on 12 July 1986 (F. Dobson) along the west lakeshore. (GOS, September 1986) 50,000+ on 18 July 1980 (Lloyd, Sunderlin) at Braddock Bay. (GOS, September 1980) 10,000 on 25 July 1992 (R. and S. Spahn) along the west lakeshore. (GOS, September 1992) 27,000 on 26 July 1969 (Listman) at Braddock Bay was considered “not unusual.” (KB19: 216)
Flocks often have been smaller in recent years, no doubt reflecting their decline as a breeding species. A season maximum of 1,000 at Manitou on 28 July 1990 was considered a “poor total.” (KB40: 249) Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of departure dates from 16 August to 24 October (1953), with a mid range, or “normal departure time” of 6 to 21 September. The late bird was seen at Braddock’s Bay by N. Moon, Miller et al. (GOS, November/December 1953)

Tree Swallow

Tachycineta bicolor
“When the Tree swallows come back to Braddock’s Bay it’s a pretty sure thing that winter’s back has been broken,” John Brown observed in 1977. (BA, 30 March 1977) The fastidious habits of this swallow were clearly on display when one flew over this observer’s head along the beach that separates Rose Marsh from Lake Ontario on 12 June 2001. The bird carried a white blob in its mouth, which it dropped once it was out over the water. The white blob was a fecal sac, excreted by young nestlings in a nearby tree cavity, and it confirmed, beyond any doubt, that Tree Swallow was indeed nesting in this particular Breeding Bird Atlas block.
Background
This hole nester breeds across most of Canada and the northern two-thirds of the United States, using cavities created by woodpeckers and other species, and accepting nest boxes as well. “Extra pair copulations” are frequent: In some populations about half the nests contain young not descended from the resident male. Infanticide is also observed, when males kill young nestlings belonging to widowed females, or females kill nestlings at another female’s nest to “Hasten the availability of a breeding opportunity.” Unlike other swallows, this species can subsist for extended periods on seeds and berries, allowing some to winter as far north as Long Island. These birds have been known to flutter against vegetation, putting swarms of insects into the air for easier feeding. Populations appear to be increasing across its range. (BNA 11: 1-4, 8, 18)
Local history
“I have seen tens of thousands gathered to roost each night in portions of the Montezuma marsh and on the marshes along the shore of Lake Ontario,” Eaton (1914) observed. He listed it as an abundant transient in Monroe and Wayne counties, and a fairly common summer resident in Monroe, uncommon in Wayne, and also occurring in Livingston. (Eaton II: 349, I: county charts) R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, indicated average counts of one to 10 birds, with a maximum count of 50, on dates ranging from 11 March to 8 October.When Leo Tanghe examined 1,665 outings by Genesee Ornithological Society members from 1951-1954, this was the swallow they most often encountered within a 50-mile radius of Rochester. It was reported 531 times, most often in April and May when average counts of 50-70 occurred, and again in late August through early October with average counts of 300-500 in the first half of September. (KB 5: 69: 4A-4B)In 1953 Tanghe listed this as an abundant breeding species in the Rochester area, specifically listing Edgemere Drive and Rose Marsh as nesting locations. (GOS, May/August 1953)
Status
The Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, common summer resident, abundant in fall concentrations, and a casual, very rare winter visitant (two records: 6 January 1983 and 13-17 January 1983).Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this a regular common to abundant spring and fall transient and a regular common summer resident.
Occurrence
This common resident is one of our earliest swallows to arrive in spring and one of the last the leave in fall, often occurring in large flocks in both seasons, and occasionally lingering into winter.
Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 24 February to 1 May, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 26 March to 12 April. Two at Kendall on 24 February 1980 (N. Henderson) slipped into the area during “one false vernal prelude” of “warming and gusty south winds.” (LG, March 1980) It reportedly set a new record early date for the entire state. (KB 30: 108) Note: This and the annotated list date were apparently either overlooked or discarded when three on 13 March 1990 were reported to be record early in the Goshawk.
Spring maxima: 1,000 on 9 April 1951 at Castile, Wyoming County. (Bull, p. 382) 4,000+ on 13 April 1982 (R. Dobson) at Manitou. (GOS, June 1982) 5,000+ on 14 April 1983 (R. Dobson, Dodge, Symonds) west spit of Braddock. Bay. (GOS, June/July 1983) 5,000 on 21 April 1976 (Perrigo, Shea) at Braddock Bay. (LG, May 1976) 3,000 on 29 April 1956 (Barlows) at Ling Road. (GOS, January-June 1956) Summer/breeding status: Lakes, marshes and ponds with dead and hollow trees standing in the water or along the shore are its preferred habitats. However, “Nest boxes put up largely for the Eastern Bluebird but used by this species probably have increased its abundance and made available many open fields with farm ponds that were not previously used because of a lack of nest sites,” Stephen Sibley notes in his profile of this species for The Atlas of Breeding Birds in New York State. (Andrle, p. 268) People shouldn’t be disappointed when this happens. These swallows help control insects, and are fascinating to observe. By the second BBA project, evidence of breeding was found in all but a handful of blocks assigned to Region 2.

Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of departure dates from 5 September to 27 November (1982), with a mid range, or “normal departure time” of 19 September to 14 October. Late summer and fall stagings occur at ponds and marshes before migration.
Fall maxima: 6-7,000 on 18 September 1990 (F. Dobson) at Buck Pond. (GOS, November 1990) 3,000 on 20 September 1983 (Reister, K. and J. Doris, Stear, Wilton), west lakeshore. (GOS, November 1983) 8,000 on 1 October 1966 (Listman) Sodus Bay. (GOS, December 1966) 5,000 – 3,000 along the west lakeshore (N. Prosser) and 2,000 at Sodus Bay (M. and T. Tetlow) – on 1 October 1972. (GOS, December 1972) 3,000+ on 21 October 1979 (R. and S. Spahn) Greece. (GOS, December 1979) Winter: This species seems better able than most swallows to survive colder temperatures. Paul Spindler carefully tracked as many as nineteen, an “unprecedented” winter tally, that lingered at Round Pond through December 1992 (KB 43:124,126), with five last seen on 23 January 1993. (LG, February 1993)One was at Braddock Bay on 6 January (Perrigo, Symonds) and eight were in Spencerport from 13-17 January 1983 (Ladwigs) during a very mild winter. (KB 33:119)Especially intriguing are two February records: one 4 February 2006 (D. Tetlow) at Hamlin, during a relatively mild winter (LG, April 2006) and two on 21 February 1993 (R. Spahn) at Rochester during a cold month with deep snow. (GOS, April 1993)

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx serripennis
During Breeding Bird Atlas work in 2004, this observer enjoyed watching these birds forage over the Genesee River downtown between the Rundel library building and the Blue Cross Arena/Community War Memorial. But he was momentarily perplexed. The birds were obviously nesting nearby. But where? Finally, he saw two birds that appeared to be engaged in a territorial squabble at a retaining wall along the river at the back of the arena. He walked over, and watched closely. A bird soon returned and literally seemed to fly “into” the wall, disappearing from sight. They were nesting in the crevices between the stones. And at least one pair made use of an abandoned pipe jutting out from a wall on the opposite riverbank just above the water. It was an interesting illustration of how a “useful” bird, other than House Sparrows, Starlings and Rock Pigeons, can adapt to an urban habitat.Similarly, an RBA field trip to Corbett’s Glen on 4 May 2006 “studied the Rough-winged Swallows that regularly nest here in the cre(vices) of the stonework in the RR tunnel.” (LG, June 2006)
Background
Though its breeding range includes virtually all of North America south of southern Canada, this swallow “has by far the fewest individuals counted per (BBS) route where observed,” notes Michael J. DeJong in his profile of this species for The Birds of North America series. It nests singly or in small colonies in burrows or crevices, including those in man-made structures, and feeds over water more than most species of swallows. They have “slower, more deliberate, and floppier wingbeats than the fluttery, almost butterfly-like wingbeat” of the similar-appearing Bank Swallow. This species has been expanding its range. (BNA 234: 1-3)
Local history
This swallow did not arrive in New York state until the late 1800s, with first breeding on the lower Hudson Valley and on Long Island in 1872. Other birds came in from the west via the Great Lakes and were nesting at Buffalo by 1889, Bull noted. (Bull, p. 385) Unlike other species that have expanded north, such as Cardinal and Tufted Titmouse, this bird is migratory, and hence its spread was not affected by the severity of winters or the availability of feeders. “However, humans may have played a major role by providing nest sites such as concrete or rock bridges, dams and sand mines,” Levine notes. (Andrle, p. 270)Eaton (1910) listed it as a fairly common summer resident in Monroe County, but gave no indication of occurrence in either Livingston or Wayne. (Eaton I: county charts)R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, indicated average counts of one to two birds, with a maximum count of 25, on dates ranging from 14 April to 22 September.When Leo Tanghe examined 1,665 outings by Genesee Ornithological Society members from 1951-1954, this was reported 219 times within a 50-mile radius of Rochester, less often than any other swallow except Cliff (101). Nearly half the sightings occurred the first three weeks of May, when average tallies of 10-20 were recorded. (KB 5: 69: 5A-5B)In 1953, he listed this as a common breeder in the Rochester area, specifically listing Mendon Ponds and Powder Mill Park as nesting locations. (GOS, May/August 1953) Status
The Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, common summer resident.Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this a regular common spring and fall transient and a regular uncommon summer resident.
Occurrence
Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 8 April to 1 May, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 19 to 25 April. Subsequently, one on 1 April 2007 (D. Tetlow) Braddock Bay was record early. (LG, June 2007)
Spring maxima: 500 on 7 May 1983 (R. Spahn) at Pt. Breeze. (GOS, September 1983) 50 on 9 May 1997 (Fox) at Conesus Swamp. (Fox, p. 69)
Breeding status: The BBA projects both indicate this species is widespread along the west lakeshore and throughout the Genesee Valley, but is spottiest in distribution in Wayne County.

Summer maxima: 40 on 22 July 1967 (Genesee Ornithological Society hike) west lakeshore. (GOS, October 1967)
Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of departure dates from 6 August to 20 October (1957), with a mid range, or “normal departure time” of 4 to 16 September. Subsequently, one 10 November 2002 (D. Tetlow, mob) at Hamlin Beach set a new record late date. (LG, January 2003) Also late: two on 8 November 2005 (Symonds, Dalton) at Hamlin Beach after three were there the day before. (LG, January 2006)
Fall maxima: 108 on 4 October 2005 (D. Tetlow) at Point Breeze. (LG, December 2005)

Purple Martin

Progne subis
As this birder and his wife drove along Thompson Drive, right on the lakeshore in the Knapp Shores community of Kendall, he was puzzled to see a cluster of white balls suspended from a pole. There were nearly two dozen, and as they drove nearer, he suddenly realized with delight what they were: Imitation gourds, with little entrances, set out for the Purple Martins – just as Native Americans used to set out gourds to attract these beneficial swallows.When the birder stopped his car for a closer look, martins sat unconcernedly atop the gourds. Others flew to the entrances carrying food or nesting material. After seeing so many traditional martin houses left unkempt, and abandoned to the House Sparrows, the birder was genuinely exhilarated by what he had just seen. Alas, his exhilaration vanished when he looked at the results of the second Breeding Bird Atlas project, which suggest that, away from the lakefront, this species is in serious trouble in our region. Background
“Few birds are so eagerly sought as the first purple martins of the season,” Alfred “Bud” Starling wrote. “The martin, in contrast to most birds, seems to enjoy the company of humans and will readily occupy the manmade bird apartments put up near a body of water.” (WBR, 22 April 1963) Even before 1900 our largest North American swallow had almost completely converted from abandoned woodpecker holes to man-made martin houses for nesting in the eastern U.S., but still relies primarily on natural cavities in western U.S., where it is less common and much more solitary. “Few other species show such a marked or abrupt geographic difference in use of nest sites,” notes Charles R. Brown in his profile of this species for The Birds of North America series. Feeding almost exclusively on insects, the Purple Martin is “not well suited” to the climate of middle and northern North America, being “highly vulnerable” to periods of cold and rainy weather in spring and early summer. “Periodically, regional martin populations as far south as the mid-Atlantic states may be eliminated or reduced by cold weather.” The largest such die-off in recent times occurred in 1972 when Hurricane Agnes stalled in late June, producing continuous, torrential rains, and wiping out populations from Virginia to Massachusetts and west to the western Great Lakes; birds were absent from some areas up to 10 years afterwards. Despite advertising claims, no creditable evidence that martins actually eat mosquitoes; martins tend to forage higher than mosquitoes are found. BBS data suggest that northern populations are undergoing long-term decline, especially since 1980, but have increased recently along the Atlantic Coast and in parts of the Midwest. (BNA 287: 1, 2, 8, 23-25)
Local history
Prior to the arrival of European settlers, these birds nested for the most part in tree cavities, but quickly adapted to human habitation. “The combination of its grace, friendliness and cheerful chirping plus its voracious appetite for all flying insects even recommended it to the Indians who suspended hollowed-out gourds to attract it,” John Brown noted. (BA, 26 May 1966)Indeed, prior to the introduction of the Starling, Bull noted, Purple Martins “nested in wall crevices and building cornices in such cities as Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Utica. . .” (Bull, p. 390) Eaton, writing in 1914, said these “cheerful, spritely” neighbors were “almost entirely confined to villages and cities,” but fretted that they were far less common than a half century before. “At Rochester there is only one locality in the whole city where it still nests and the pairs are becoming fewer each year.” Unless more residents put up martin houses to help these birds, he predicted, the species would be “extirpated within a generation in most localities.” (Eaton II: 343) Why? As increasing numbers of imported House Sparrows and Starlings competed for nest cavities, Purple Martin numbers declined 30 to 50 percent statewide between 1860 and 1910, Eaton estimated. (Andrle, p. 266) “The English sparrow seems to have been responsible for the decrease of the martins, for as the sparrows remain throughout the year, they are able to pre-empt the martin houses before the martins return,” Edson added in 1934. (WBR, 23 April 1934) Eaton (1910) listed this as an uncommon summer resident in Monroe and Livingston counties, also occurring in Wayne. (Eaton I: county charts) R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, indicated average counts of one to 10 birds, with a maximum count of 100, on dates ranging from 9 April to 27 August. For many years the only colonies were at Rock Beach, according to Edson. However, “in the last few years they have spread until now there are scattered colonies along the lake from near Nine-mile Point to Manitou,” he reported in 1934. (WBR, 23 April 1934)In 1947 Edson reported that the martins still were confined “for the most part, to the areas immediately adjacent to Lake Ontario and its ponds and bays.” (WBR, 28 July 1947) Three years later, he repeated his concern that these beneficial summer residents “are hardly holding their own in Western New York” because House Sparrows were usurping those man-made nest compartments and because they were vulnerable to cold snaps in late spring. (WBR, 24 April 1950)When Leo Tanghe examined 1,665 outings by Genesee Ornithological Society members from 1951-1954, this species was reported 356 times, trailing Tree Swallow (531) and Barn Swallow (482) but in a virtual tie with Bank Swallow. 146 of the sightings were in May; average counts of 20-30 were reported. (KB 5: 69: 5A-5B) In 1953, Tanghe listed this as an abundant breeder in the Rochester area, specifically listing Long Pond and Rigney’s Bluff as nesting locations. (GOS, May/August 1953)However, populations were devastated by a May 1966 cold snap. One western New York survey of thirty nest sites showed at least 323 of 552 martins were killed. (KB 18:71; see also WBR, 22 April 1946) That cold spell “apparently came very close to wiping out a number of colonies in the Rochester area,” Brown reported. Warren Shelton of Bayview Drive off Manitou Beach Road told Brown he had picked up six dead birds one day under his martin house and “upon investigating further, found four live ones crowded together in one small compartment, possibly for warmth.” These birds also died “and Shelton was fearful he might have lost his colony.”Eventually however six or eight martins showed up; the tribulations faced by this species were further illustrated when the newcomers were confronted by a starling that had since moved into one of the compartments. It “would not move from the house no matter how many times they dive-bombed it . . . Finally Shelton climbed up and found that the Starling had a nest in one apartment containing two eggs. This he removed.” The Starling took off, and only then could the martins claim their residence.Same concerns persist today, plus loss of wetlands. (Levine, p. 398)
Status
The Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, common summer resident.Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this a (presumably regular) fairly common spring and fall transient and a (presumably regular) uncommon summer resident.
Occurrence
Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 20 March (1980) to 5 May, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 9 to 25 April. Subsequently, one at Hamlin on 16 March 2003 (D. Tetlow) set a new record early date. (GNR) Summer/breeding status: Kevin and Mandi Griffith surveyed the lakeshore between Ontario Beach and the West Spit of Braddock Bay on 30 June 1978, and found 48 martin houses, 24 of which were inhabited by martins, five of which were also inhabited by House Sparrows, with neither species showing much aversion to the other. Of the remaining 24 houses, 10 were inhabited only by House Sparrows, and the rest appeared to be vacant. “The estimated total number of martins was 240. We were pleased to see the decent numbers of houses and martins. People do care.” (LG, July 1978)Two hundred on 4 July 1987 (J. Mason) was an encouraging tally from Ontario. (GOS, August/September 1987)However, in 1990 Frank Dobson noted that people were wondering “where the purple martins have gone. Some lakeside nesting boxes have been unoccupied for the first time in years. Other observers have noticed a steady decline in martin numbers in recent years, perhaps because of our cold, wet springs.” (Birds, 8 July 1990)If the BBA projects are any indication, the decline of this species is of major proportions. The first project confirmed breeding in an unbroken chain of blocks along the Lake Ontario shoreline, in almost every block from western Monroe into eastern Orleans and Genesee counties, and in several blocks around Conesus Lake, with additional evidence of breeding in much of western Wayne County. During the second project, however, evidence of breeding was confined almost entirely to lakefront blocks and the Conesus Lake area. Especially noticeable was the absence of any breeding evidence at all in much of western Monroe into eastern Orleans and Genesee counties and in much of Wayne.

“The increased popularity of martin houses in the past 50 years and the determination of martin house owners to exclude the Tree Swallow, European Starling, and House Sparrow have stabilized martin populations,” Steven Sibley observed after the first BBA project. (Andrle, p. 266) However, all too often these days, too many martin houses are not properly maintained by their owners, and are monopolized by House Sparrows. More determination on the part of property owners will be needed, for, as Sibley observed, almost all nesting by Purple Martins in New York now occurs in man-made martin houses. This species’ “continued existence depends largely upon efforts of martin house owners.”
Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of departure dates from 21 August to 4 October (1981), with a mid range, or “normal departure time” of 30 August to 19 September. However, three on 8 October 1974 (Listman) at Manitou (GNR) and four on 12 October 1975 (R. Thoman) at Long Pond (GNR) were even later. Also late: Two on 11 October 1990 (P. Spindler) at Island Cottage. (GOS, December 1990)
Misc.
When members of a Genesee Ornithological Society field trip scanned a ploughed field along the west lakeshore on a rainy day with a cold north wind in April 1985, about half a dozen Purple Martins “were sitting on the soil, along with a Palm Warbler – apparently finding grubs and bugs not available in the air because of the cold.” (GOS, June 1985) One fisherman reportedly watched a purple martin skim along a couple feet above the surface of Buck Pond, when a 7- or 8-pound northern pike “burst through the surface of the water, leaped about three feet in the air and picked off the martin as clean as a whistle.” (Birds, 25 July 1982)

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rustica
The soccer field at Badgerow Park provided a perfect setting for these birds to find food – and display their superb flying skills – the morning of 5 July 2006. Four of the fork-tailed swallows were coursing over the open expanse, zooming along just inches above the grass, which appeared to have been heavily “salted” with small white blossoms of clover. This birder walked his dog into the center of the field for a closer look; tiny flying insects hovered at the blossoms, perhaps providing the swallows’ prey. The swallows continued their feverish pursuit, often flying within a few feet of the man and his dog. Occasionally they abruptly soared upward, reminding the birder of swimmers coming up for a breath of air. He examined the crossbars of the goal posts for young fledglings, but did not find any. Not today. It served only as a convenient resting spot when one of the adults tired of its labors.The summer of 1995 was a good one for the Barn Swallows on the Gillette farm in Savannah, Wayne County. Twelve to 15 pair had built their mud nests around the old barn, Frank Dobson reported. (Birds, 9 July 1995) “Bill (Gillette) has been building a play area for the . . . children, Jennifer and Jonathan. Many of the young barn swallows line up on the top crossbar where the swing sets hang and wait for parents to bring them food. The parents are so busy, they just hover in front of those open bills, pass the catch and are off to snatch more insects. There may be forty or more young barn swallows on the premises.”
Background
This is the most widely distributed and abundant swallow in the world, breeding throughout most of North America, Europe and Asia, and wintering in Central and South America, Morocco, Egypt, subSaharan Africa, the Middle East, India, Indochina, Malaysia and Australia. “Originally nesting primarily in caves, the Barn Swallow has almost completely converted to breeding under the eaves of or inside artificial structures such as buildings and bridges,” notes the profile of this species in The Birds of North America series. This apparently began even before arrival of European settlers: Barn Swallows were nesting on habitations of Native Americans in the early 1800s. Its close association with humans means it is one of the most studied birds in the world. For example, tail length “tends to correlate with reproductive success, annual survival, propensity to engage in extra-pair copulation, parental effort, ability to withstand parasites . . . and other measures of fitness.” Sufficient differences exist between North American and Eurasian populations to suggest there may actually be more than one species involved. Mud nests are fastened to a vertical wall under a horizontal overhang, or placed on a ledge. BBS data show significant overall increases in U.S., but decreases in Canada and some parts of U.S., including the Northeast. (BNA 452: 1-3, 14-15, 23)
Local history
Before the arrival of European settlers, this swallow was likely much less common than it is today. However, much like the Chimney Swift, this “common swallow familiar to every country boy” readily adapted to the meccas offered by the proliferation of human habitations. In the case of the Barn Swallow, it learned to nest in barns and sheds, under bridges and on other manmade structures, using mud and straw to plaster nests on joists or crossbeams. (Eaton II: 347; Andrle, p. 276)Nonetheless, Eaton (1914) worried that the modern barns of his day were constructed so tightly that the swallows could not enter, and even if they did, the nests were soon destroyed by farmers. “Where formerly every barn was occupied by this species – from 3 to 7 pairs in each large hay barn – there are at the present time not more than 1 pair on an average in every 3 or 4 barns.” Nonetheless, he listed it as an abundant summer resident in Monroe County, common in Livingston and Wayne. (Eaton II:347, I: county charts)R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, indicated average counts of four to 10 birds, with a maximum count of 2,000, on dates ranging from 9 April to 18 October.When Leo Tanghe examined 1,665 outings by Genesee Ornithological Society members from 1951-1954, this species was reported 482 times, trailing only Tree Swallow (531) among this family of birds. Highest average counts of 30-50 were reported in the last half of May and the last half of August. (KB 5: 69: 5A-5B)In 1953, he considered this an abundant breeder in the Rochester area, specifically listing Greece and Penfield as nesting locations. (GOS, May/August 1953)
Status
The Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, very common summer resident.Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this a regular common spring and fall transient and summer resident.
Occurrence
Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 24 March (1979) to 1 May, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 12 to 22 April. Subsequently, one on 15 March 1990 (Nicoletti) at Braddock Bay set a new record early date. (GOS, May 1990)
Spring maxima: 200 on 13 April 1982 (R. Dobson) Manitou. (GOS, June 1982) 1,000 on 30 April 1960 (Listman) at Braddock Bay. (GOS, March-July 1960)
Summer/breeding status: These birds are found not only in agricultural but urban and suburban areas, including parks. This observer found pairs successfully nesting under the roofs of the shelters in Badgerow Park, despite frequent picnics and gatherings directly under the nests. The Barn Swallow’s use of straw to help bind mud during nest construction may account for its more widespread distribution compared to that of the Cliff Swallow, which must have clay or clayey mud for its construction, Stephen Eaton notes in his discussion of the two species in The Atlas of Breeding Birds in New York State. (Andrle, pp. 274-276)Certainly atlasers during both BBA projects had no trouble finding and, far more often than not, confirming this species.

Jerry Czech of Webster reported nestlings on 1 September 1992, “a couple of days past the state record late date.” (GOS, November 1992)
Summer maxima: 3,000 on 20 July 1998 (K. Fox, Kimball) came to roost at nightfall at Hemp Pond and nearby cornfields in the Geneseo Flats. (Fox, p. 69) Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of departure dates from 15 September to 24 November, with a mid range, or “normal departure time” of 20 September to 12 October. The record late bird was seen on 24 November 1971 near the junction of Manitou, Payne Beach and Manitou Beach roads. Walt Listman reported that “the bird kept fluttering up under the eaves of the house as if it might be finding insects sheltered there,” John Brown related. (BA, 2 December 1971, KB 22:31) Fall maxima: 500+ on 6 September 1987 (R. and S. Spahn) were at Hamlin. (GOS, November 1987)

Cliff Swallow

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
One might find a “line of this species’ nests consisting of 50 to 150 thickly crowded together under the eaves of some large barn,” Eaton (1914) related. “And a very interesting community it is.” At each jug- or gourd-shaped nest, a parent can usually be seen “with its little buffy-colored frontlet and chestnut cheeks appearing, and chattering at the opening. There are birds continually darting swiftly out of some of the nests, wheeling about in the air, flying around, uttering their sharp monosyllabic note, returning to the nest, heading around and peeking out again – a bustling city with all the occupants intent on rearing their young and destroying all the winged insects that can be found in the air for some distance around.” “I have never been able to understand why so many farmers will not allow these swallows to build under the eaves of their barns,” Eaton lamented, and hoped that attitudes changed before the species “entirely disappears” from New York. (Eaton II: 346) House Sparrows posed another threat, usurping nests. Fortunately, this beneficial species has not disappeared. If anything, it is more common than in the past, finding new opportunities to nest under bridges. Even so, it remains very local in distribution.     Background
This is one of the most social landbirds in North America, nesting in large colonies that can contain as many as 3,500 active nests. Indeed, it shows “the highest degree of coloniality of any swallow in the world.” Originally these were birds of the western mountains, “where they still nest commonly underneath horizontal rock ledges on the sides of steep canyons in the foothills and lower elevations of the Sierra Nevada, Rocky and Cascade mountains,” note Charles and Mary Brown in their profile of this species for The Birds of North America series. “In the past 100 to 150 years, these birds have expanded their range across the Great Plains and into eastern North America, a range expansion coincident with the widespread construction of highway culverts, bridges and buildings that provide … alternative nesting sites. New colonies continue to appear each year in areas where Cliff Swallows were previously unrecorded as breeders.” An exception is in the Northeast, where this species increased in numbers in the early to mid 1800s as land was cleared and more buildings were erected, but then declined to low numbers with the introduction of House Sparrows. A single House Sparrow may clean out 12-15 adjacent Cliff Swallow nests before selecting one as its own. Like Barn Swallows, these birds build their nests of mud; unlike Barn Swallows, their nests are enclosed and gourd-shaped and they occur in much larger colonies. Overall population trends are difficult to monitor, since birds are locally concentrated at colony sites which may be erratically occupied from year to year. However, this species appears to be increasing significantly in the central Great Plains east to Illinois and Michigan and in the Appalachian Mountains. (BNA 149: 1-3, 11, 13, 25)
Local history
Eaton (1910) listed this as a “local” summer resident in Monroe County, also occurring in Livingston and Wayne. (Eaton I: county charts)R. E. Horsey, in his listing of birds seen at Rochester and Monroe County from 1913 to 1936, indicated single birds were the norm. Spring/early summer dates ranged from 12 April to 11 July, with a maximum count of eight; fall dates ranged from 31 August to 3 September, with a maximum count of only two. At that time, it nested only in the Adirondacks and Catskills in New York State, according to Horsey and Edson. (“Loon Makes Stopover on His Journey to Lakes of North,” D&C, 4 May 1931)Leo Tanghe, examining 1,665 outings by Genesee Ornithological Society members from 1951-1954, found only 101 records for this species, fewer than any other swallow – and none for the last half of June through July. Nearly two-thirds of the sightings were in mid May and first half of September, when average tallies of 5-7 were reported. (KB 5: 69: 5A-5B) Moreover, in his 1953 listing of breeding birds in the Rochester area, Tanghe considered this a rare breeder here, citing only Honeoye as a nesting location. (GOS, May/August 1953) The Kemnitzers found six nesting on a barn at Pilgrims Port Swamp at Sodus in June 1955. (GOS, April-December 1955)“Previous to the turn of the century they nested under the eaves of many barns in this part of the state,” Edson noted in 1954. However, he was ready to write off this beneficial bird as a nesting species in our area because of competition from the “pestiferous” House Sparrows and because modern barns were of planed lumber, to which the mud or clay nests would not cling. (WBR, 12 April 1954) This can be remedied by simply nailing a two-by-four five inches below the eave, flat against the wall. (Andrle, p. 274) Bull (1974) also cited mortality from prolonged cold or rainy spells during the nesting season. (Bull, p. 389)
Status
The Monroe County annotated list (1985) described this as a regular, fairly common spring and fall transient and a regular, fairly common but local summer resident.Livingston County, Fox (1998) considered this a (presumably regular) uncommon spring and fall transient and a (presumably regular) uncommon local summer resident.
Occurrence
Spring: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 22 March (1980) to 12 May, with a mid range, or “normal arrival time” of 24 April to 3 May. One on 22 March 1980 (R. Dobson) at Greece “sitting on a tree limb in a feeder area during a snow storm” was considered record early for the entire state. (KB 30:167) That record lasted four years. Another was at Greece (Griffith) on 21 March 1984. (LG, April 1984)    Late departure date for migrants was 12 June.
  Spring maxima:     125 on 2 May 1964 (Kemnitzer) at the east spit of Braddock Bay. (KB14: 162)    40 on 12 May 1974 (T. and M. Tetlow) at Braddock Bay. (GOS, July-September 1974)    25 on 19 May 1959 (Listman) at the west spit of Braddock Bay. (GNR)    Summer/breeding status: Nesting was confirmed at Honeoye Lake in 1950 (GOS, June/August 1950) and a “few pairs” were still nesting on a barn in the Bristol Valley, north of Naples in 1954. (WBR, 12 April 1954) When Cliff Swallows were found nesting south of Sodus Bay on 12 June 1955, it was “the closest known nesting location to Rochester at present,” Harry Van Beurden reported. (KB 5:67) So Edson greeted with “great interest” a report of five pairs “building gourd-shaped nests on an unpainted barn at the edge of Bergen Swamp on the Torpy Hill Road” in June 1958. (WBR 16 June 1958). “This could be the nearest colony of these swallows in this area,” John Brown added. (BA, 12 June 1958) Seven pair were reported nesting on a small storage building at the north end of Canadice Lake in June 1965. (KB15: 231; BA, 17 June 1965)One of the more interesting breeding records was a single nest with at least one young bird found by Gertrude Davis in the middle of a colony of Bank Swallows nesting in a sand bank opposite the ski jump in Powder Mills Park in June 1970. (BA, 2 July 1970; GNR)At least two pair nested in 1975 at Braddock Bay, “a new station for the species” (KB25: 215), when two clay nests were found on the Elmheart Hotel and the adjoining old dance hall. (BA, 9 July 1975) That colony increased to 15 nests the following year, but most were knocked down to paint the building. (KB26: 216) Sixteen nests were at the West Spit in June 1985 (GOS, July/August 1985), and 30 two years later. (Birds, 30 August 1987) After the hotel burned down, the swallows attempted to move to a newly constructed home nearby “but were thwarted by the owner of the house.” (KB45: 289-290)Results from the two Breeding Bird Atlas projects were remarkably similar in showing a relatively small number of blocks with evidence of breeding in our region, but wholly different in where these blocks were located. During the first project, for example, most blocks with evidence of breeding in our region were western Monroe into eastern Orleans counties, and in southern Ontario County. During the second project, there was much less evidence of breeding west of Rochester, but an increase in Livingston County.

This species has also nested at Hilton High School. (KB43: 315)
Summer maxima: 25 on 20 July 1988 (C. Cass) at Hemlock Lake may have been parents and their offspring, or birds staging for migration. (Fox, p. 69) 21 on 29 July 1979 (F. and R. Dobson) Braddock Bay. (GOS, September 1979) Fall: The Monroe County annotated list (1985) indicated a range of arrival dates from 5 August to 3 September, with a mid range, or normal arrival time of 16 to 30 August. In most years had departed by 22 September, with a late date of 19 October. However, one on 4-5 November 1963 (Listman) at Manitou was even later. (GOS, January 1964)
Fall maxima: 38 on 28 August 2005 (Symonds, D. Tetlow) Hamlin Beach. (LG, October 2005) 75 on 19 September 1959 (Listman) west spit Braddock Bay. (GNR)

Cave Swallow

Petrochelidon fulva
Dave Tetlow knew he was quite possibly witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime event. Nonetheless, as the Cave Swallows kept barreling overhead on 6 November 2005 – as the tally kept mounting into double, then triple figures – part of him wanted to shout out “Stop! No one’s going to believe this!”The 28, 112 and 42 Cave Swallows counted at Hamlin Beach SP the three previous days were incredible enough, but 579 there in a single day? It really does seem mind-boggling considering that: The first sighting of Cave Swallow in our region had occurred only seven years before. Though these wanderers from Texas and Mexico were then spotted almost every fall since, there had never been more than 5 at a time. The birds in 2005 were flying in a different direction during a weather pattern that was only “partially similar” to conditions during prior occurrences. (KB 56:216)So what’s happening with this species? Why the sudden string of appearances since 1999, and why so many all at once in 2005?
Background
Cave Swallows breed in the southern United States, Mexico, the Greater Antilles, Ecuador and Peru. (KB50: 110) During a spectacular population increase in the late 20th century, Cave Swallows began nesting under bridges and culverts and greatly expanded their breeding distribution north of Mexico, NYSARC notes. (KB 56:17) They also began to make regular incursions into the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada during late fall, especially November, primarily at Cape May, N.J., where birds would be sighted after hitting the Atlantic coast and then turning south. Status Still evolving, but apparently becoming a regular, at times abundant fall visitor along the Lake Ontario shoreline.
Occurrence
Early November of 1999 saw an “unprecedented push” of these birds into central and northeastern North America, with reports coming from Quebec, Ontario (at least 80 birds), Virginia, New Jersey (as many as 35 at Cape May), Pennsylvania, Michigan, Rhode Island, North Carolina, Connecticut and New York.“The broad movement was associated with two low pressure systems, one centered over Texas and the other northern Ontario,” Andrew Guthrie and Angus Wilson wrote. (KB 50: 115) “A cold front, with associated southerly winds, connected the two systems driving birds from the southern United States northwards.” In the meantime, Dave Tetlow was on a quest to find 300 species in one year, Kurt Fox was carefully monitoring online reports of rarities showing up in neighboring states and provinces to help Tetlow with his quest, and the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch was in full operation as well. (Marcotte, p. 42) When Fox alerted Tetlow to the incursion of Cave Swallows in the northeast, Tetlow figured they would most likely show up along the lakeshore, and resolved to spend time there looking for them.Thus was the stage set, nationally and locally, for our first regional sighting: 1. On 23 November 1999, at the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch, a Cave Swallow “came down the shoreline and passed over the observers’ (Brett Ewald and John Bounds) heads at 35 feet. . .” Forty minutes after the bird at Hamlin Beach, Tetlow observed one that “came down the shoreline and was seen at point blank range” at the east spit of Braddock Bay. Was it the same bird? Perhaps. However, “The direction of the Hamlin bird, the number of birds seen in the (Northeast), and the eight additional swallow species seen later that day indicate that it could also be a different bird.” (LG, January 2000) Subsequently: 2. Fall 2001: Max. two 8-9 October 2001 (D. Tetlow, mob) at Long Pond and one 9 October 2001 (D. Tetlow, Sherony) at Buck Pond. (KB 52:60) 3. Fall 2002: One 11 November 2002 (D. Tetlow, Davids) at Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 53:50) This was during yet another major incursion into the Northeast, NYSARC notes, with some 100 birds in Connecticut alone. There were three reports from coastal New York and one from the Niagara River in addition to the Hamlin Beach bird. 4. Fall 2003: Three on 20 September (D. Tetlow), one on 6 November (D. Tetlow) and five more on 24 November (D. Tetlow, R. Spahn, Bounds) at Hamlin Beach SP. (KB 56:220) 5. Fall 2004: Three on 31 October 2004 (Sherony, mob) at Hamlin Beach SP, another 21 November 2004 (D. Tetlow) at Hogan Point and four 23 November 2004 (D. Tetlow, R. Spahn, McKinney) at Williamson. (KB 55:52) 6. Fall 2005: “The southern branch of the jetstream was aligned perfectly from northern Mexico to southeastern Canada from approximately 29th of October through the 6th of November,” Tetlow reported. (KB56: 66) “This may have been responsible for the movement/displacement of Cave Swallows into the Northeastern United States.” The numbers here seemed astronomical: 28 at Hamlin Beach on 3 November (Bounds, Gurley, D. Tetlow). “All of these birds were moving west into a southwest wind ranging from 10 – 20 mph. The high number of birds . . and the flight direction opposite the norm indicated something was different.” (KB 56:216) 112 at Hamlin Beach on 4 November (D. Tetlow, Davids). 42 at Hamlin Beach on 5 November (S. Taylor, Sherony, D. Tetlow, et al). 579 at Hamlin Beach on 6 November (D. Tetlow, Davids, Hartquist). 2 at Hamlin Beach on 8 November (Symonds, Dalton). 2 at Hamlin Beach on 11 November (Davids) hawking insects over a pond. 1, then 3 at Beatty Point, caught on video, on 13 November (D. Tetlow). 4 and 11 at Greece and Hogan Point on 14 November (D. Tetlow). At one point Tetlow was able to closely observe at least two of the birds hovering over gray dogwood bushes near a pond and to see plucked berries in their bills, which were then apparently swallowed. (KB 56:217) This is “a feeding pattern previously noted in Tree Swallows only” (LG, January 2006). 7, dwindling to one, sheltering at the Lake Ontario State Parkway bridge over Salmon Creek from 15 to 17 November (R. Spahn, mob).The startling thing about the mass flights was not only the quantum leap in numbers of birds, but the fact that all but 25 during the period were headed to the west, not to the east as in virtually all the prior sightings. What brought such a large number to our region? “The most likely origin is the southwestern United States, with a large group of Cave Swallows swept to the northeast with and ahead of the storm system which arrived in western New York over the weekend of November 5-6,” Spahn and Tetlow noted in a Kingbird article analyzing the event. “The archived national weather maps for 5-6 November 2005 look like a perfect setup for a fast track from Texas to the south shore of Lake Ontario, with a strong low following a track between a high to the southeast of that line, a low ahead to the north and west, and a frontal boundary just to the north.”But why such a large number in light of a relatively routine weather pattern? “Possibly it has to do with matching the timing of a particular population of Texas birds ready to head south. It is also possible that some degree of pre-migratory northward dispersal is a natural feature of North America’s rapidly expanding breeding populations, and that such movements might interact with even normal weather events to move large numbers of Cave Swallows to the north and east.” (KB 56:222)In any event, during the memorable flight of 6 November, when virtually no other swallows were flying, the Cave Swallows “just kept coming and coming,” Tetlow said, many of them into the face of the wind after it gradually shifted to westerly. During the first hour and half after sunup, when the winds were still out of the southeast, Tetlow positioned himself at the parkway bridge just outside the park entrance, where birds were passing directly over his head and as far as 300 yards farther inland; as the winds began to shift, however, he moved closer to the lakeshore itself.The swallows flew in small groups. Tetlow counted one flock of 42, four flocks of more than 30, “too many flocks over 20 to remember” – but only three instances of single birds flying over.Fall 2006: 5 on 29 November (D. Tetlow et al) at Burger Park for a record late occurrence. (LG, January 2007)Fall 2007: A total of 20 birds from 3-14 November with a maximum count of nine on 4 November (D. Tetlow, Davids) at Hogan Point. (LG, January 2008)

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