While out kayaking today (Saturday 6/14/03) on Jordan Lake, Chatham Cty., NC, I encountered a small group of Tree Swallows (6 or more) hanging about a patch of standing dead trees. This patch is the formerly very extensive set of dead trees in mid-lake southeast of the tip of Farrington peninsula, and west-southwest of the wildlife observation site (off of 751, and now closed). The Tree Swallows were fluttering about the dead trees, and seemed very interested in several cavities, but I could never get a definitive view of any popping into a nest cavity. (It was choppy, so observation was a bit difficult.) Given the date, I presume that they are breeding there. I AM confident of the identification--I saw at least two full adult birds with that beautiful irridescent back and snow-white underside, including chin. They were vocalizing quite a bit, and one flew by giving a very nice song--something I can't remember hearing before, even where the species is common. (It's hard to remember that swallows are songbirds, i.e., passeriformes.) A good sighting, I think--Tree Swallow is a rare breeder in the Triangle, from what I understand. Other birds in the area: an Osprey couple on a nest nearby--on a very low stump. A couple of eagles flew by at various times--one full adult and one in subadult plumage. A few Double-crested Cormorants were hanging about, but do not appear to be making nests--they had nested at this site before most of the dead trees fell. The usual Cliff Swallows were busy flying about under the nearby bridge on SR 1008, i.e., Farrington Rd. Patrick Coin Durham, NC patrick@coinconsult.net Newsletter/Web Editor New Hope Audubon Society web@newhopeaudubon.org http://www.newhopeaudubon.org/