Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis

Most breeding Northern Rough-winged Swallows are found The statewide distribution of Northern Rough-winged along streams varying in size from small creeks to the largest Swallows has remained fairly constant during this century. Jones rivers. They normally avoid headwater streams lacking perma- (1903) considered them to be common summer residents nent aquatic habitats and small creeks flowing through heavily throughout Ohio. Hicks (1935) echoed similar sentiments and forested areas, but may occasionally occur along ponds and small recorded breeding pairs within every county, but noted they lakes if suitable nest sites are available. Many pairs construct their became “less frequent” in northern Ohio and rather locally nest burrows into the sides of eroding banks, digging tunnels 0.5– distributed in some western counties. In subsequent decades, their 3 feet long with a nest chamber at the end. However, this species populations have been spreading northward through the Great also regularly occupies drain pipes under bridges. More imagina- Lakes region, although Ohio populations have apparently tive pairs have nested among the pontoons of a boat, the overflow remained fairly stable since 1965 (Robbins, C. S., et al. 1986). pipes of a swimming pool, openings in an oil storage tank (Peterjohn 1989a, Chapman 1938), as well as in sawdust piles, and tree cavities (Peck and James 1987). Rough-wingeds are not totally restricted to riparian corridors. Some pairs regularly nest in the exposed banks of quarries, while others occupy rock crevices within highway cuts. These locations may be several miles from water, and the adult swallows are content to forage over nearby open fields. This species may nest in small colonies, normally composed of 12 or fewer pairs with a maximum of 20–25 pairs. These colonies are normally segregated from other swallows, but they may occasionally form mixed colonies with Bank Swallows. They also frequently breed as isolated pairs. Within Ohio, nest construction has been reported as early as March 30 near Dayton (Mathena et al. 1984), but most pairs do not begin prospecting for nest sites until the second half of April or early May. The few published egg dates extend between May 8 and June 6 (Mathena et al. 1984, Williams 1950), although late attempts and renesting efforts could be responsible for incubating adults into the first half of July. Some young swallows hatch by late May, but most probably hatch during June. Recently fledged young have appeared by June 16 (Trautman 1940), and most are noted between June 25 and July 20. Late nests could produce fledglings during early August. Since suitable breeding habitats are widely distributed within Ohio, Northern Rough-winged Swallows are widespread summer residents in the state. They were recorded in 620 priority blocks during the Atlas Project (81.2% of the statewide total), and were Picture to be added noted in every county. These swallows were fairly evenly distributed across the state, from a maximum of 87.3 and 87.0% of the blocks in the Unglaciated Plateau and Illinoian Till Plain The Atlas Project records were fairly evenly divided among regions respectively, to a minimum of 79.0 and 75.7% of the possible, probable, and confirmed breeders. Of the 202 confirmed blocks in the Lake Plain and Till Plain regions respectively. Their records from priority blocks, active nests were discovered in 135 local distribution in portions of western Ohio as described in blocks while recently fledged young and adults carrying food for Peterjohn (1989a) was not evident during this project. Their young were noted in 30 and 25 blocks respectively. Used nests relative abundance on Ohio Breeding Bird Surveys indicate this comprised most of the other confirmed records; the “30” code species may be most numerous in the northern counties, espe- was not accepted for this species. The reports of probable cially the Glaciated Plateau and Lake Plain physiographic breeders included many sightings of adult swallows entering regions. Fewer Rough-wingeds are reported on these surveys potential nesting cavities as well as pairs in suitable habitats. elsewhere in the state.

198 Blocks Special Areas Other Observations Confirmed Probable Possible

Analysis of Block Data by Physiographic Region Summary of Total Blocks % Regional Ave. # Individ Breeding Status Physiographic Blocks with with % per BBS Route No. of Blocks in Which Region Surveyed Data Data for Ohio (1982–1987) Species Recorded Lake Plain 95 75 79.0 12.1 2.4 Till Plain 271 205 75.7 33.1 0.7 Total 620 81.2% Ill. Till Plain 46 40 87.0 6.5 1.3 Confirmed 202 32.6% Glaciated Plateau 140 115 82.1 18.6 3.5 Probable 264 42.6% Unglaciated Plateau 212 185 87.3 29.8 0.9 Possible 154 24.8%

199 Northern Rough-winged Swallow