Birding at Lee Metcalf

A cool, wet morning can be the basis for success when on a birding field trip. Yup, those spring conditions typically concentrate birds in places where there is food...if you know where that may be. Since I was interested in finding newly arrived swallow species that are aerial insectivores, the wetland abundant, ergo midge laden, Lee Metcalf NWR near Stevensville became the destination yesterday. I wasn't disappointed. I observed Cliff (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota), Barn (Hirundo rustica), Violet-green (Tachycineta thalassina) swallow mixed in with a large group of Tree (Tachycineta bicolor).  Found 39 species in little over an hour of effort...great fun and energizing. Here's a short video with some observed highlights:

Cold, blustery spring morning in the Bitterroot Valley. Observed group of tree swallows perching in Siberian elm catching morning sun rays, video follows.

There are about 81 species of swallows/martins worldwide in the Hirundinidae family; on all continents except the Arctic and Antarctic regions. All North American species are primarily insect eaters, excepting the tree swallow which eats a quantity of vegetable matter...wax myrtle berries being a favorite. A study done by F.E.L. Beal in 1918 discovered that Diptera (flies) comprise ~40% of animal food taken.