Post by swampfox on Jul 22, 2013 9:04:53 GMT -6
Kelly Chitwood reported a possible juvenile Cave Swallow near the bridge over the Red River at Garland City (Miller County) to me in a text message this past Saturday. I visited the site the between 8 and 8:30 a.m. today but failed to see even a single swallow. On my way back home via AR Hwy 296, I stopped by First Old River and found 100-150 swallows gathered on the wires 1/4 to 3/4 mile east of the boat launch. As on previous trips, most were Northern Rough-winged but I did see 1 adult Tree, 2 juvenile Cliff, and 4-6 juvenile Cave. 4 of the juvie Caves were in a tight group but all of the swallows were more skittish today than usual and I flushed the 4 juvie Caves before I could get close enough for photos. It's possible that the 2 juvie Caves that I found about 200 yards further down were part of the original quartet-hence, my uncertainty as to the total number of Cave Swallows found today. Eventually, a juvie Cliff Swallow perched before and after the 2 juvie Caves which created a wonderful direct comparison situation.
So, the 2013 Cave Swallow story in SW AR continues to unfold. I know it's getting insufferably hot and humid but now is the time to really scrutinize any concentration of swallows in any section of the state. You might not discover a Cave Swallow on your first attempt but, if these concentrations are checked at opportunity from this point forward, eventually one will turn up.
Charles Mills
Texarkana TX 75503
So, the 2013 Cave Swallow story in SW AR continues to unfold. I know it's getting insufferably hot and humid but now is the time to really scrutinize any concentration of swallows in any section of the state. You might not discover a Cave Swallow on your first attempt but, if these concentrations are checked at opportunity from this point forward, eventually one will turn up.
Charles Mills
Texarkana TX 75503