No swallows yet. Not much in insects for them to eat either.
Did see a male Killdeer in the riding arena yesterday.
Saw a couple of Barn Swallows in Montreal this morning. The Tree Swallows have been back since Sunday.
Although migration has of course been late this year, it seems like it is speeded up–normally, there would be a longer period between the Tree Swallow (which can subsist on berries and usually stay on later in the season) and Barn Swallow flights.
[QUOTE=tucktaway;8106186]
Cowbirds 2 days ago, first redwing black bird this morning! Last year the swallows came the 28th, it feels like they might be earlier this year…
It’s interesting that they are already in parts of Ontario, but not here![/QUOTE]
That is interesting.
We’ve had cowbirds, redwings, grackles and killdeer for a while now, weeks!
My DH heard the peepers last night too.
[QUOTE=Fred;8106487]
That is interesting.
We’ve had cowbirds, redwings, grackles and killdeer for a while now, weeks!
My DH heard the peepers last night too.[/QUOTE]
I wonder if our barn swallows winter somewhere different and also travel a different route…For instance, coastal vs central migrations. I would expect you’re still colder up north than we are but ??
I think swallows are fascinating (and birds generally freak me out!)
Our farm is right next to a creek, and I wonder if that encourages a sooner return of our swallows (water eventually equals blackflies).
So far I’ve seen two pairs now in the barn.
[QUOTE=K~2;8107520]
I think swallows are fascinating (and birds generally freak me out!)
Our farm is right next to a creek, and I wonder if that encourages a sooner return of our swallows (water eventually equals blackflies).
So far I’ve seen two pairs now in the barn.[/QUOTE]
There’s a lot of water here too, handy for nest building!! Blackflies – agh!! I’m enjoying this brief bit of bug-free season!
Now it’s a race to get the powerwashing done, before the nesting begins!
The rest of the flock greeted me when I went out to feed this morning.
First pair 2 days ago. A bunch more since. SE PA
They are back in Massachusetts fighting for the prime real estate.
The barn cat has already retreated to the tack room and under the outside plants 
Just back this morning!!! Yay!!! (100 miles north of NYC)
Not here yet, thank goodness.
It is cold and windy today and I still don’t have a good home for my stone-cold-killer-cat ‘Tippy’.
Saw my first one today! Central Iowa.
STILL not here but I think they come more in May if I recall.
Psst - Had the air conditioning on in the car yesterday!!! Like summer here.
Field is limed and fertilized because the ground is so firm and dry.
Just got buzzed by a pair of swallows as i went into the barn this morning!Yeah!
Finally saw 1 tonight! Wahoo! I was getting nervous…
Groton MA…
Just saw mine for the first time yesterday!! They are such happy little chirpers. I’m in Maryland.
We had our first one back yesterday (in southwestern Ontario).
Numbers are still increasing here in the south. I’ve got one nest someone is sitting on, another I"ve seen a group in and out of, and just this morning there was a fight brewing over space, birds chasing each other through the barn with a major tweeting off going on. For those that know swallows, are these the same birds that used the nest last year?
They just arrived yesterday. Sussex NJ. My daughter would call them the fun birds when she was young. Time flies she will be 32 next month. It snowed a bit here today:mad:
[QUOTE=Foxtrot’s;8115643]
STILL not here but I think they come more in May if I recall.
Psst - Had the air conditioning on in the car yesterday!!! Like summer here.
Field is limed and fertilized because the ground is so firm and dry.[/QUOTE]
They’re HERE! Saw one late last week… and a whole group of them were swooping around the track infield the next day. We’re in South Langley.
