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I have birds that I haven't seen before making sweeps just above the grass. Swallows? Swifts? They have swept back wings and are extremely agile. Anyone know what they are?
What I believe to be Cucujo Beetles were really putting on a show last night on the west end of St Croix. At a distance, they look like large, extremely bright lightning bugs. Anyone else seeing these?
Lastly, teeny tiny birds are starting to show up in greater and greater numbers. They look a lot like mosquitoes but, given their size, surely they must be birds! They have long, narrow, pointy beaks and a taste for blood.
Posted : October 10, 2010 2:14 pm
Aussie...did they have scissor tails? We had them, too, in Cotton Valley. They were swallows. I've never seen them here before and was gonna make a post myself.
We stood on our back deck for about 20 minutes while they provided an awesome airshow. Some flew within a few feet of us. They're great fun to watch. We were giggling the entire time.
I figure they either were blown in by the storm. Or more likley migrating south for the winter.
Posted : October 10, 2010 2:45 pm
Good morning,
Aussie,
Specialk seems right on with these birds: It sounds as though you have swallows migrating through the islands. One of the distinctions between swallows and swifts is that the swallow has a long, deeply forked tail, whereby the swift has a short, forked tail. The two species are actually not related. Both are superb arial fliers. Swallows are also capable of perching on branches; the extremely short legs of the swift allow mainly for a vertical-type perching (if you will...eg on the inside of a chimney).
Enjoy!
BTW, has anyone seen any Common or Roseate Terns pass through yet? The are also referred to as "Sea Swallows" by fisherman and dive for baitfish driven to the ocean's surface by larger fish. They are on their return to Argentina and Brazil. Thanks,
Swan
Posted : October 10, 2010 3:01 pm
Topic starter
Ah! Many thanks, specialk ! Yup, scissor tails. Very cool. This is the first time I've seen them here too.
Posted : October 10, 2010 3:03 pm
There have been a few terns around Crammer Park
Posted : October 10, 2010 3:03 pm
Topic starter
Many thanks, Swan! They are so quick that I'm not sure I can tell the difference between a swallow and a swift.
Posted : October 10, 2010 3:06 pm
I also noticed a few swallows in Salt River STX over the past week, for the first time ever. What a lousy week to migrate, with all that rain!
Posted : October 10, 2010 5:00 pm
