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CAVE SWALLOW at Iredell Co. Fairgrounds



Dwayne and I observed a swallow during our lunch break today flying in and
around the grassy areas of the Iredell County Fairgrounds in Troutman, NC.
(We work just across the street and often bring our binoculars to scan the
grassy areas for birds and look for migrating hawks and so forth.)  We first
observed the bird at 12:05pm about 200 yards away.  We knew immediately that
it was indeed a swallow and proceeded to eliminate the species that we knew
it WASN'T.  We eliminated Barn Swallow based on the shape of the tail.  We
eliminated Tree, Rough-winged and Bank Swallow based on the very obvious
buffy rump of the bird in question.  This left us with Cliff Swallow or Cave
Swallow.  By this time, our lunch break was almost over and we had to return
inside.  We discussed the bird and the field marks that we had already
observed and felt that it was indeed a Cave Swallow.

At our break at 2:00pm we again observed the bird for 15 minutes.  Since it
was still present and was in the same general area, we felt that it may stay
put until we got off of work at 3:30pm.  I called Dom and Emma D'Ostillio
and asked them to come down and see what they thought.  They both have had
previous experience with Cave Swallow in the southwest and we felt that they
were in a better position to make a call.  Upon their arrival at 3:30pm we
again observed the bird over the fields of the fairgrounds.  (We were able
to follow it for 90 minutes as it collected insects from near the ground as
well as higher in the air.)  We walked down to the field where the bird
seemed to "frequent" and got better looks then we could have imagined.  On
no fewer than 8 occasions, the bird flew within five feet of us and allowed
for an unquestionable id.  We believe the bird was a juvenile, but is
starting to acquire some adult plumage on the back.  The dark buffy rump
patch was most obvious.  The forehead of the bird was dark brown.  The back
was dark brownish with some bluer feathers apparent.  The throat was pale
buffy and extended around the neck to the nape which was the clincher for
us.  A Cliff Swallow would have had a very dark throat.

We realize that this is a very rare bird in the Carolinas and were reluctant
to make the id.  But with the looks that we all four got and the throat
color being light, we decided it could be no other species.  If you would
like to try for this bird, it is easy to find and looked as though it were
in no hurry to leave the area.  From I-77 take exit 45.  Follow the signs
leading to Troutman.  Turn left onto Murdock Road and proceed about 3 miles
to the Rescue Squad on the right.  You may park in the parking area of the
Rescue Squad (do NOT block the doors of the building) and scan the grassy
areas of the fairgrounds.  The bird seemed to "frequent" the area of the
rescue squad but crossed the road several times and fed in and around the
parking area where we work (Palliser Furniture).  From I-40, take exit 142
(Old Mtn Road).  Turn south onto Old Mtn Road and go to the third stop light
(about 7 miles down the road).  Proceed straight through the third stoplight
and the rescue squad will be on the left.

We hope someone else will be able to see the bird tomorrow and confirm the
id again.  In the meantime, though, we are off to Dom and Emma's to fill out
our rare bird report form for submittal.

*************************
Dwayne & Lori Martin
Foothills Bird Club
Claremont, NC
dlmartin@twave.net