At 7:45 this morning, 19 July, a dark storm-petrel
(presumably Leach's)  was slowly working its way
south, buffeted by the strong southerly  winds.
At one point, it startled a Ring-billed Gull 
into flight,  providing a good contrast in size.
The storm-petrel might soon make a nice  mid-day
snack for a larger gull?
 
Three Bonaparte's Gulls present, 7:40-8:00.
 
Speaking of swallows ... 
 
N. Rough-winged Swallows: Two local pairs might not 
have stayed around  to raise young.  Some nest sites 
were destroyed by the record-high lake  level of 2011.
 
Barn Swallows:  Two local pairs may not have 
stayed around to  raise young.  I recently 
encountered a family group foraging near  
its nest site at another location.
 
Cliff Swallows:  Two pairs successfully raised 
young in old nests  on my house.  
One nestling died before the  rest fledged.
Twice, other Cliffies stayed for a day or two, 
but did  not nest, despite having prior-years' nests available.
A  returning pair on the east shore were missing
when I last checked, and were  replaced by a House Sparrow.
 
Tree Swallows:  Raised young OK.  
I recently saw a flock of  100 assembling on wires.
 
Dave Hoag, Grand Isle.