Cave Swallows aren’t a bird species you would typically find in New York, their range typically is much farther south in parts of southern Texas and Central America. So why is a bird that is usually found in this one state, being seen all the way up in New York?
One thing many hardcore birders pay attention to is wind and weather patterns. As they should, depending on wind direction and high and low pressure systems, these could be great indicators of possible rarities getting pushed into the area. And this is exactly why Cave Swallows are currently being seen around the Great Lakes and coast in the northeast.
A low-pressure system formed over lower Texas and quickly moved northeast across the country. Because these Swallows are aerialists, they are much more prone to being moved by these high winds. From there, they were pulled northeast until the winds subsided, and thus being seen by birders across this region, including New York.