They are coming. They are definitely on the way. A few have already been seen but the masses are far to the south. They are getting closer. It won’t be long now. Who are they? Probably one of the most important members of the avian community. They are the swallows whose taste for flyinq insects makes them one of man’s best friends.
Two of the seven species recorded in Inyo County do not breed here but pass through on their way north in spring and south in fall. The rare Purple Martin has only been seen about a half-dozen times from March (1954: Furnace Creek Ranch, the first historical record) to 30 May (1976: Furnace Creek Ranch) and another half-dozen times from 17 August (1993: Furnace Creek Ranch) to 29 Oct (1977: Furnace Creek Ranch). The other non-breeder is the beautiful bicolored Tree Swallow first recorded at Furnace Creek Ranch 23 Mar 1891. This mosquito eater has numbered as many as 2000 at Tinemaha Reservoir on 22 April 1975 where they were seen coursing back and forth across the reservoir removing untold pounds of flying insects. This hardiest of swallows has been recorded every month of the year in Inyo though from November to early February only singles have been found. They likely perished because their food supply was either missing or in very low quantity or, more hopefully, returned south to a more hospitable climate. Most spring migration is from late February, numbers by early March are 300 in a flock, to early May. Fall migration starts in mid-July and lingerers can be seen in early October.
The breeders use a variety of habitats in which to nest and abate the flying insects in their own way. The flashy Violet-green Swallow nests in both the Sierra and desert mountains at higher elevations where it finds tree holes or rock cracks as safe homes for their young. This species was first recorded at Furnace Creek Ranch on 10 April 1891. Spring migration begins 12 February (1978: Furnace Creek Ranch) , up to 200 have been found on 31 March (1974: Big Pine) and fall migration ends 12 November (1991: Tinemaha Reservoir).
The brown and buff Northern Rough-winged Swallow nests in vertical cliffs along the Owens River. They arrive as early as 25 February (1992: Tinemaha Reservoir) and are gone by 12 October (1991: Furnace Creek Ranch) but are found mostly from late March to early September. The most seen were 500 at Big Pine and Bishop on 6 April 1975. The first historical record was at Panamint Valley on 22 April 1891 by the A. K. Fisher Expedition.
The Bank Swallow, a fairly common migrant and locally uncommon summer resident, is on the state threatened list at nesting sites. The only remaining nest colonies in the southern half of the state have been a few attempts at gravel pits in north Bishop for the last four years. These have often been disrupted by operations there resulting in total nest failure. This swallow was first recorded breeding along the river at Alvord (Big Pine) on 26 June 1891. The earliest spring arrival is 25 February (1992: Tinemaha Reservoir) and the latest fall departure is 12 October (1991: Furnace Creek Ranch). As many as 500 were seen at Big Pine and Bishop on 6 April 1975.
The buff-rumped Cliff Swallow, a common migrant and summer resident, arrives as early as 12 February (1975: Tinemaha and 1978: Furnace Creek Ranch) and is the earliest to depart with most leaving the county by late August. Surprising was one found at Furnace Creek Ranch on 23 November 1977, the latest county record ever. On 19 April 1993 in Bishop and Round Valley as many as 230 were seen building nests under bridges and road culverts. A large colony nests every year on the outflow structure at Tinemaha Reservoir. The first county record was at Haiwee Meadows 12 May 1891.
The Barn Swallow, steel blue above with a long forked tail and rusty breast, is the bird most people think of when they think of a swallow. These common migrants and summer residents were first found on migration between Panamint and Saline Valley in late May 1891. Earliest spring arrival was 12 February (1978: Furnace Creek Ranch) though most pass through late March to late May on their way north to Alaska and the Northwest Territories. These most elegant of all swallows nest around houses, under bridges and in other man-made structures, like barns. Fall migration begins late August and lasts to mid October. Three thousand , seen on 13 September 1992 (Tinemaha Reservoir) ranks this as our most abundant swallow.
Many of the historical first records for the county are from the A. K. Fisher Death Valley Expedition of 1891 which included all of Inyo County and took place from December 1890 to the summer of 1891 Many contemporary researchers are using the shoulders of this giant and his co-workers upon which to stand because it offers a much better view.