These four birds were discovered by John Hubbell at dusk on Nov 27th, flying around the bridge over Little Seneca Reservoir, Montgomery Co. MD. That night, Dave Powell, Mary Ann Todd  and myself searched under the bridge with flashlights, but could not see the birds. The bridge is large, with many hidden ledges.  The birds emerged from their roost about 7 AM  the next morning. They fed around the bridge for over an hour, then departed.

........ More pictures. One of the four birds had symmetrical damage to outer primaries.

Museum comparison of south-western Cave Swallows race pelodoma, with south-western Cliff Swallows, race swainsoni (melanogaster). Very few fall specimens available. Photos from the U. S. N. M., Washington DC.

Museum comparison of Caribbean Cave Swallows, race fulva, with south-western Cliff Swallows, races tachina and swainsoni.

One bird seemed to have a slightly darker throat. I am not even positive this is the same bird in each photo, but I think it is. I believe the throat color is a better match for Cave Swallow than for Cliff Swallow race swainsoni, judging from the museum photos above. But what would a juvenile or transitional swainsoni look like? There are no such specimens in the museum.

Mark Hoffman's Cave Swallows from Frederick Co. MD, 26 NOV 2004 http://www.pbase.com/wcbirding/cave_swallow

Kevin McGowan's Cave Swallows from Ithaca NY 25 NOV 2004. Three birds about 230 miles to our north. http://birds.cornell.edu/cayugabirdclub/photobb.html#CaveSw

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