Date: 12/23/25 7:05 am From: Kimball Garrett via groups.io <cyanolyca818...> Subject: [LACoBirds] Be on the lookout for Cave Swallows
Birders,
Most of you are aware that some 20+ Cave Swallows have been present around Calipatria in the Imperial Valley in the past week or so, and another apparent Cave Swallow was in coastal Ventura County yesterday (22 December). Paul Lehman sent a message detailing thts situation and implored observers to be on the lookout for San Diego County's first Cave Swallow, especially in areas with any number of Barn Swallows (which are regular in winter).
Los Angeles County has two previous records of Cave Swallow -- at El Dorado Park in Long Beach 28 November 2015, and Santa Fe Dam 30 Nov-1 Dec 2016. But this is an opportune time to search for more. Places like Bonelli Regional Park, the lower Los Angeles River in Long Beach, the Sepulveda Basin, and Piute Ponds have had Barn Swallows recently. The key thing to remember is that in late November and December Cave Swallow is more likely to occur in California than Cliff Swallow even though many birders assume that Cliff Swallow is the "default" orange/buff-rumped swallow locally. That assumption is probably only valid from late January through October.
Bottom line, if you think you have found a Cliff Swallow in the next couple of weeks, please document it carefully and be aware that Cave Swallow is a strong possibility.
