This morning I was on Clifton Farms Road in Russell County looking for
fledgling Loggerhead Shrikes to photograph.
A small all white bird flashed across the road in front of me and continued
into a nearby field. I almost wrecked the truck getting stopped and getting the
camera out.
It was a white Barn Swallow. I am not sure whether it was leucistic or albino.
I think it was probably leucistic but I did not get close enough to determine.
I have included some poor quality, long distance photos.
As a side note this sighting also clears another "mystery bird sighting". About
10 years ago I was in Burkes Garden, Virginia in late fall/early winter when I
saw a white bird that was flying sort of like a tern. It was late in the year
and that did not seem reasonable and all of the swallows were gone so I did not
consider that. I now believe that it was another white Barn Swallow.
The photos are at http://www.pbase.com/opiehunter/white_barn_swallow
Tom
Tom & Laverne Hunter
Russell County Bird Club
Lebanon, VA
