Sorry Mark- I guess it seemed to me that one was reported so another
observer assumed they were back in and so wasn't as surprised at seeing one
as I would be. I guess I should do some research and see if they have been
reported elsewhere in the western US this winter. Would be unprecedented I
believe. Over two months early with no previous verified winter records-I
guess what I really wanted to say was that if people are starting to see
swallows now they are almost certainly Trees not Purple Martins- I would
love to hear the reports verified though- good luck Mark!
Tim
On Wed, Feb 10, 2016 at 8:43 PM, Mark Nikas <elepaio@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Tim,
Thanks for the excellent summary of swallow status in western Oregon
during winter and early spring.
I don't think the 2 recent reports are "obvious misIDs " though. Both
observers are quite familiar with Purple Martins. Both were aware of the
rarity of the sightings and stated as much. One stated the birds he saw
were all dark, fork tailed and larger than the more expected swallows.
Both observers also stated that knowing how rare the sightings were, there
was a slight chance of mis-identification. No one is saying these
sightings should go into the record books as confirmed IDs but I don't
think dismissing them out of hand is proper either. Personally I think
they were valid sightings. A directionally challenged Southern Martin
should also be considered but from what I've read there's no way to
visually separate them from Purple Martins. Hopefully someone can come up
with a photo or 2 of these birds since they seem to be hanging around. I
think I'll take a stroll out there tomorrow and see if I can be the one to
document these birds.
Mark Nikas
On Wed, Feb 10, 2016 at 7:53 PM, Tim Rodenkirk <timrodenkirk@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
I have to send this to correct some obvious misIDs on early swallows.
Yes TREE SWALLOWS are now starting to overwinter in the Willamette Valley
and many of you have seen them reported on OBOL. This is the default OR
wintering swallow although until recently this was really rare (what the
heck is going on?!). Now, almost every winter, they are reported in various
areas in W OR and in SW WA,
In Coos County, and I expect in many parts of W. OR,Tree Swallows begin
to show up by now- early to mid-Feb. So reports of Purple Martins are
almost CERTAINLY Tree Swallows (excuse me all but we won't see PUMA for a
couple more months- there are no verified records until late March).
Later in February the first Violet-green Swallows show up. They can
easily be mistaken for Trees if you haven't spent much time trying to ID
them before, anyhow, in general, they don't arrive until late Feb. or early
March and are the typical swallow you find nesting later in the season in
suburban neighborhoods.
Historically, Barn Swallows did not show up until later in March. In the
past decade they have been seen from late November into early February in
W. Oregon, not sure what to report on that. Anyhow, by late Feb. the few
Barns reported seem to disappear and then the main wave doesn't show until
late March. This is the same time the first NRW Swallows are reported also
in W. OR but mostly not until the first week of April.
The very first reports of Purple Martins are without exception at Tenmile
Lakes in Coos County the last few days of March or the first few days of
April where one of the largest OR colonies resides and where for the past
couple decades they have been reported first. Most other regular locations
do not report the first male scouts until mid- to late April.
As for Bank Swallows, at least on the Eastside, the records in Coos range
from the very end of April through May for migrants, but in general they
arrive the latest and are easily mistaken as NRW Swallows for those who
have no experience identifying them apart. In Coos we are lucky to see one
or two birds a year in May, usually migrants mixed in with large swallow
flocks along the coast. Of course they are common on the Eastside in
appropriate habitat from May through the summer...
So winter records of Purple Martins- send us photos- they should be in S.
America- no NW records. Good to understand when and where birds begin to
show up (phenology) to better understand what you are seeing out there.
Certainly this may all change with climate warming, but that is normally
incremental and not huge changes. When they are reported extremely early on
OBOL or eBird it is likely something to take a closer look at to see if ID
was correct.
Merry birding all!
Tim R
Coos Bay
