On the Internet the next day, in a census of birds of Lake Mitchell, someone counted 70 of them. There were other species of ducks, blue and green-winged teals, scaup, American wigeon, gadwalls, all waiting for the rain to let them continue their northern journey. Swallows were there also, dipping and fishing the air above the water, and darting between raindrops. Many of them were purple martins. Other smaller swallows were identified as barn, cave and later, tree.
Swallows fly so fast and are so numerous that they can be hard to identify.
Coup of the day Without working very hard we found 62 species, but the coup of the day was a pair of vermilion flycatchers that flew before us as we walked down a path during a temporary cease in rainfall. The tiny male was gorgeous, although not completely adult. His color was subtle rather than knockout vermilion. His mate, with a pale pinkish breast, was protective of him. No other would be allowed to take her darling.