John Thompson
Northern News Services

Clyde River (July 18/05) - Three mysterious visitors spent several days camping in Clyde River, and residents are wondering who exactly they were.

The only hint they might have are some stray feathers.

Mariah Qillaq noticed several birds unlike any others she'd seen before two weeks ago, twisting through the air near her home.

They were small with black feathers, white undersides and long, pointy wings. Every night at 9 p.m. they would return to the roof of her neighbour, Peter Iqalukjuaq, without fail.

Eventually other residents took note.

One community radio host even reported that a bat had been spotted darting around town.

With spotty details and only a grainy photo to go on, researchers are unable to confirm what species the visitors belong to.

"It sounds like it's some kind of a swift or a swallow," said Bev McBride, with the Canadian Wildlife services in Ottawa.

However, without more information, she said it's impossible to confirm the species.

And without knowing the species, their origin is also difficult to pin down.

"That bird could have come from Europe. It could have come from over the pole. Or it could have come from the Americas."

Some residents speculated global warming might have drawn the birds to Clyde River, but McBride said that's unlikely.

"You would see a gradual movement of migrations rather than a flash in the pan," she said.

Birds sometimes find themselves in new locations after being swept up in storm systems.

Other times they hitch rides on boats or inside aircraft. And at times they just fly in the wrong direction.

"It's interesting, when you think about the possibilities," McBride said.

"More photos would be really great."