Two weeks ago, I wrote about the tree and violet-green swallows
that nest in this area. They are the swallows that have dark
blue-black backs and white under parts as they flash by. There
are other swallows that nest regularly in the area and that are
also present in the big flocks of swallows that gather on
utility lines before they depart for the South. There are four
other swallows that are in this group that everyone can easily
see in mixed flocks. The bank and rough-winged swallows are
easily seen as different for they have brown backs and white
under parts. The other two have dark blue-black backs and
therefore need a bit of careful studying to see the differences.
They are the cliff and barn swallows. By the way, I found out
years ago that my eyes could not change focus fast enough to
identify swallows on the wing. So, most of the time I don’t even
try. I look for those big perched flocks of swallows where you
can lean back in a car seat or camp chair, and study them
without breaking your neck and hope