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the interesting Rough-winged Swallow
seen in this huge gathering.
On October 03, 2003 there was a massive influx of swallows to
Benbrook Lake near Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. I estimate
that at least seventy-five thousand Barn Swallows Hirundo
rustica were feeding over the lake that morning; perhaps
far more than this conservative figure. Among them were numbers
of Tree Swallows Tachycineta bicolor, Northern Rough-winged
Swallows Stelgidopteryx serripennis, and Bank Swallows
Riparia riparia, along with a few Cliff Swallows Petrochelidon
pyrrhonota, at least one Cave Swallow Petrochelidon
fulva and a rare Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina. Groups of birds would suddenly land on the ground to
rest:
Next to the imm. Barns are a Bank (c. center), a Rough-wing (top-left),
and two imm. Trees (between and left of these two birds):
This Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva)
was very richly-colored compared to the few adults I've seen locally:
Two Cliff Swallows Petrochelidon pyrrhonota;
these seem to be juveniles that have started their molt early?:
You think swallows have it easy? - take a look at the heat haze
pouring off of this unusually rich-chestnut Barn
Swallow Hirundo rustica:
This imm. Bank Swallow Riparia riparia
has a cinnamon wash on the central throat and upper chest band:
