I birded a little this evening at Black Hand Gorge and saw possibly 4 (they
move fast!) bank swallows exploring a location where I have not seen them
before.  When I first discovered a bank swallow colony five or six years ago
at Black Hand Gorge, it was in a pretty substantial bank on a curve about ¾
mile downstream on the Licking River.  Later, I saw that a pair of belted
kingfishers had taken up residence in that same bank, and the bank swallows
did not return the following year.  Last year, I saw a small colony of bank
swallows at a different location.  Earlier this spring, I noticed that
belted kingfishers seem to have taken over that location as well.  This
evening, the swallows were at a third location, and did not seem to have
settled on a particular site, although it was hard to tell.  This site was
300 or 400 yards downstream from the place I saw them entering the bank last
year.

 

Question:  Do belted kingfishers “dig” their own holes, or do they take over
holes excavated by other species or even mammals?  Do bank swallows excavate
their own holes?  Has anyone ever documented kingfishers taking over
excavations previously used by bank swallows?  (Yes, I’m aware of the size
difference – I assume the kingfishers would enlarge an existing excavation
as needed.)

 

While I can’t be certain that the kingfishers are using the exact same
holes, I’m certain that they are using the same banks as previously used by
bank swallows, and that the bank swallows did not return to a bank that had
been taken over by a pair of kingfishers.

 

Of more interest to most people, I saw one of the bald eagles land at the
nest with what appeared to be something in its talons.  Then later, head up
and down, as if tearing apart prey and feeding it to a nestling.  I did not
actually see a nestling, but the activity I saw was suggestive on one’s
existence.  I have not spoken with any of the “official” eagle watchers
recently, so I don’t know what the consensus of the experts might be.

 

With all the nasty weather, I haven’t gotten out much.  However, I did see
the Louisiana waterthrushes again, after the worst of the recent weather,
and I saw my first blue-gray gnatcatcher last Friday evening (4/13).

 

Waterfowl continue to be interesting at the Dawes Arboretum wetland, and
Sunday I identified a greater yellowlegs by its triple-note flight call.
When it landed, I lost it in the vegetation.  That makes me wonder what
jewels would be discovered with closer access.

 

Margaret Bowman

Licking Co., OH


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