Swallows

[DoveKeeper]

In late spring the swallows show up behind our house. I have never seen them land. their feeding habbits keep them high aloft so I never get a real good look at them. How can I find out where they are landing? Must be local I should think?

[satrow]

Which species of swallows are they?

Andy.

[DoveKeeper]

I'm not sure...I never got that good of a look at them. They apear to be very dark with some iradecence about their head and shoulders. I can see it as the sun reflects of them briefly

[satrow]

Purple Martin is the largest and darkest.

Barn Swallow maybe the commonest in your region, long, fine tail streamers.

Cliff Swallow, small and a short, square tail.

Tree Swallow, clear white underparts.

A description of the habitats in your area may help narrow it down.

Andy.

[DoveKeeper]

I'm almost sure they ar tree swallows. They have left some time ago. I have only seen one swallow land in a tree in my lifetime. About seven miles from here. when I look up to see them feed there are so many. This is an urban area amongst great salt marsh pans skirted with fragmites. Wood framed reidential structures from one to three stories mixed in with comercial propertys cement block in nature. a large area of horse stables is nearby to go with the horse racing track.We are located right on the coast with several miles of sand beach and a few miles of canonball cobble. To the south we have the results of northwestern Boston harbor.. mainly an oil depot for oiltankers.

[satrow]

With stables nearby, I wqould guess you have a good population of Barn Swallows. Could you ask someone that works there if they have them nesting in the stables?

Or better still, take a look yourself! Take a camera and post some pics, maybe we could tell from the nests and sites which species it is/they are.

One thing that worries me is that you said they are high up feeding. You may have Chimney Swifts as well!

Andy.

[DoveKeeper]

Well thanks for the tips...I will definately pay more attention to them when they show up agian. They have been on my mind for a few years now. My digital camera is on the way..should be here any day now. It will take me a bit to learn how to use it. Should be a lot of fun posting the pics if they come out good.
thanks, Howie

[christineredgate]

Dovekeeper,

Our swallows here fly high lots of the time and perch on the phone wires when they are resting and the young ones do when waiting for food.I have a small 50 pixel one i will enclose.I find if you watch carefully and see where they go into the eaves of houses etc,you may be able to take a pic of the young ones waiting for food.I was lucky this year as we have lots of swallows nesting near us,these houses are old with lots of hiding places,and the swallows return,year after year.They also swoop down along the river to catch flies etc,and last year the youngsters perched on the mooring ropes of the boats waiting to be fed.

Christine. If this pic is here ,it is a very small one as it is resized to 50 pixels,as it is for an IT project,but I have lots more larger ones.