[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Cave Swallows



Dear Carolina birders,

Enjoyed the posting on Cave Swallows. The southwestern subspecies has been steadily expanding its range for many years now. The species was first recorded in the U.S. in the late 1800's, eventually becoming a nesting species in Texas and New Mexico in the 1900's. Originally it favored caves which limited its expansion. Some time around the early 1970's, however, it apparently developed an ability to nest in highway culverts and since then, the species has really expanded its range.

My interest in Cave Swallows stems from when I lived in Oklahoma. At the time I left in 2000, the species had expanded its range to within 50 miles of the Oklahoma border and the race was on to find the first nest in Oklahoma. An Oklahoma nest hasn't been found yet but many folks search every spring. Who knows what the north and eastern limit of the species will ultimately be.

What does this mean for North Carolina? The number of vagrant reports is likely to increase along with the population. As Joshua stated - watch those swallows.

John Dole
Garner, NC
john_dole@ncsu.edu