Birds of the Lower Ohio River Valley in West Virginia
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Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor
WINTER: Casual Migrant from mid-February to late February. Prior to 2005 there were three records: one on 17 January 1996 (HS); two on 23 February 2002 (WA, MG); one on 28 February 1992 (MG). Three were present at Green Bottom WMA on 17 and 19 February 2005 (JN); fifteen on 27 February 2005 at Green Bottom WMA (12) and McClintic WMA (3) (DP); one on 25 February 2006 at Athalia, Lawrence, Co., OH (HS).
SUMMER: Common to Very Common Resident. Often Very Common to Abundant during July and August. See Remarks section.
MIGRATION:
Spring: Common to Very Common Migrant from early March to mid-April.
Fall: Very Common Migrant from early September to late October. Resident birds form large groups during July and August. Late dates, 07 November 2004 (MG); 03 November 2002 (MG); 30 October 2005 (MG); 29 October 2006 (MG, DP, GR); 25 October 1983 (HS).
REMARKS:
Edeburn et al.(1960) stated that no nesting records were documented. By the 1980's, it was considered an uncommon resident. Range expansion southward and use of nest boxes has increased our local nesting population.
Nest Box Data: (Slack,1997 to 2008, unpublished data): Initial egg laying occurs from late April to mid-May. Clutches begun in late May to mid-June likely represent second nests following initial nest failure. Early Egg Dates: 29 April 1997 (2 eggs); 30 April 2008( sets of 3 eggs and 2 eggs); 02 May 1999 (6 eggs); 03 May 2002 (5 eggs - 2); 04 May 1999 (7 eggs); 04 May 2003 (5 eggs). Late Egg Dates: 28 June 2003 (4 eggs, clutch (4) initiated on 25 June 2003); 19 June 2001 (5 eggs) and 2008 (3 eggs); 14 June 1997 (2 eggs). The clutch initiated on 28 June 2003, which successfully fledged four young on 27 July 2003, represents a second successful nesting for a pair in the same year. The nest on 19 June 2008 represents a second successful nesting for a pair.
Singing Male Census (Koch 1971): McClintic WMA, Mason Co., WV (1967): shallow pond-cattail marsh (elevation, 183 m): 33 males/100 ha.
Breeding Bird Survey (Koch 1974): McClintic WMA, Mason Co., WV (29 May 1971): 50 Stops, 12.25 Mile. Number of Stops Recorded: 2. Total Birds: 4.