A dull morning at Alum Lake was rescued by migrant swallows.  Starting at New Galena, a good migrant trap, I had little of interest but noted a small flock of Barn Swallows out in the bay of the reservoir.  At subsequent stops, I kept an eye on the open water, and it's a good thing I did.  Small flocks of swallows were winging their way south all morning.  Between 9:00 - 10:30, I totaled:

Cliff Swallow - 120
Barn Swallow - 90
Tree Swallow - 70
Rough-winged Swallow - 15
Bank Swallow - 10
Purple Martin - 1

No flock was larger than 12 birds, and all were flying south down the middle of the reservoir, into the wind.  Often there would be a 5-minute lull between flocks, and soemtimes the flocks would string out into larger groups. Often the birds would deviate from their lines to swoop out after insects or swoop down for a drink.  It was a very cool sight.  I would imagine that the open reservoir might offer them better prospects of finding unobstructed flying insects and clear views of approaching predators.

Also among the swallows were some 40-50 Ring-billed Gulls and 8 Caspian Terns, also moving south, but at a more leisurely pace.

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