A Cave Swallow discovered by Steve Langer along with Vern Laux at Capaum Pond on Nantucket represents the first Spring Record for Massachusetts.  The bird was first seen on 12 May along with 6 Barn Swallows flying around the pond.  It was re-found at the same location on 13 May around 9am perched on some phragmites with the Barn Swallows.  While Cave Swallows have become annual in Fall in Massachusetts (except last year!) and throughout the Northeast, Spring records are exceedingly rare.  New York has one Spring record from 23 May 1990 at Jamaica Bay NWR (that bird was also that state's first state record).  Nova Scotia has three Spring records (in 1968, 1969 and 1990) represented as specimens which have been attributed to the West Indian subspecies (fulva), and New Jersey has a single Spring record at Cape May 20 April - 5 June 1990.  Subspecific identification of Cave Swallows is probably not possible in the field given the variability of field marks such as rump coloration, forehead color etc but it would be worthwhile to obtain as many images of this bird as possible.

On 20 February, 2 Massachusetts birders discovered a Barnacle Goose among a large flock of Canada Geese at Mill Pond in South Egremont.  Records of this species in North America have been hotly debated regarding origin issues.  While some birds have been shown to represent escapees, a well established pattern of occurrence has developed, particular in northeastern North America with many of these birds arriving with flocks of migratory Canada Geese, often containing Greenland White-fronted Geese and/or Cackling Geese.  This bird potentially represents the XX state record.  For more information and photos please visit this site.