ML646121586

Detalles de la observación

**2nd state record!** Observed by me (Taj), Clem, and Megan. Observed for about 20 seconds as it flew west to east, crossing the lake at about 100-200’ above the water. I was incredibly lucky to get it in my binoculars for about 3-5 seconds before switching to my camera to try and get documentation photos while also getting Clem and Megan on the bird. Due to the challenging lighting and short duration of the sighting (it never circled or slowed down), I didn’t have time to adjust my camera settings, and as a result I only have marginal photos. But thankfully three of the photos show the diagnostic features of a Cave Swallow (CASW): darker rufous rump and paler throat and grey collar with dark around the eye. Cliff Swallow (CLSW) would show a much darker overall face and head rather than the lighter colored auriculars shown by this bird which leads to a capped appearance diagnostic of CASW. Also there was no white on the forehead which is another point in favor of CASW over CLSW. Big thanks to Clem for editing the photos to help get the most detail possible. Additional info: Persistent and strong W and SW winds led to a large-scale invasion of Cave Swallows throughout New England, NY, and Eastern Canada starting on November 4th (the day before this observation) and continuing through the 8th. Dozens of Cave Swallows were reported in nearly every coastal New England state along with observations in both eastern and western NY as well as in Montreal and the northern shores of Lake Ontario. I was aware of this CASW invasion at the time of the sighting, and went out hoping to find one. In fact, 10 minutes prior to us observing this swallow, I said “someone somewhere is going to find a Cave Swallow on the lake today, the question is who and where!” I hoped, but did not expect, that it would be us! Only previous CASW record in VT was a single bird at Charlotte Town Beach observed November 15-16th, 2008.