Baltimore County, MD - not back yet. Going outside to knock the nest next to my front door down. They moved from the eaves under the shed to the front door before I noticed, and laid eggs, so I had to let them stay last year. But what a mess!
Great to see the revival of this thread - so we can compare dates of this year to last… Here we had a surprisingly mild winter, back east a dreadfully bad, snowy winter.
We had less swallows last year…don’t like that trend.
It was a great joy to have my visitor this morning, but I suspect he/she was just a scout, haven’t seen it since.
We had a rather cold and prolonged winter for our area, and I’m surprised that they are earlier! (Southern Ontario - Niagara area)
Got my first nest moved into late last week, saw a couple of scouts maybe a week before that. I think I’ve got a second group getting ready to set up home this morning, but I didn’t take time to watch them enough to be sure.
Not here yet in northern WI
They haven’t arrived in N. Ga. yet.
Not in my area of Western Washington State yet.
We don’t expect them for 3 more weeks. Nothing for them to eat here with the snow still on the ground.
Been seeing them at the barn where I board my horses for about a week. (central Va)
[QUOTE=K~2;8092726]
Our first barn swallow flew into the barn this morning! 
That puts them almost a week earlier than last year for here.[/QUOTE]
Ours arrived this morning, as well. A male scout arrives first (it’s always been the case for the 20 years we’ve been here). Last year he arrived on 12 April, which was 3 days earlier than the year before, and that was over 2 weeks later than the year before that.
Ours arrive from sub-Saharan Africa. Do the North American swallows arrive from South America?
Saw a pair of scouts last week and a few more today. Hoping to see the rest of the flock here soon.
The first pair arrived March 28 at our place in Aiken. They come to the same nest in the barn each year and always have the first fledging. It’s really filling up now with four old nests being added to. LOVE THESE BIRDS!!
[QUOTE=RutlandH2O;8093824]
Ours arrived this morning, as well. A male scout arrives first (it’s always been the case for the 20 years we’ve been here). Last year he arrived on 12 April, which was 3 days earlier than the year before, and that was over 2 weeks later than the year before that.
Ours arrive from sub-Saharan Africa. Do the North American swallows arrive from South America?[/QUOTE]
Yes, that is their winter haven. Quite a long trip “home” to breed here, just as it is for you from Africa to England.
It still boggles my mind and why I find them such remarkable birds…not to mention keeping the bugs and mosquito population that can be equine disease-carriers off my farm.
They can poop on my stuff all they want since they serve such a great purpose and are the cutest darned things.:yes:
None here in Ontario, yet!
We have Tree Swallows, but no Barn Swallows. A very exciting time of year in Ontario, as all of the migratory birds are on their travels!
I am on the lookout for a Woodcock! Have seen a Golden-Crowned Kinglet just this past weekend and I’m on also keeping an eye out for the Great Blue Herons. Great to have them all back!
They’ve been busy for a few weeks now in the rafters of the covered arena where I board.
I had no idea they traveled so far!
Oh, I fear it will be July before I see them this year! They normally arrive here the first week of May but we still have 2+feet of snow on the ground. I will keep checking in and living vicariously through those that are lucky to have them now.
They’ve been in Northern California for a few weeks now. They are pooping with abandon and dive-bombing barn staff with no apparent sense of fear. If anyone just cannot wait to see one, you are welcome to visit and attempt to catch a few and take them back with you, the farther away the better. Maybe a pool scooper would work, like a butterfly net but instead it’s a sparrow net? I have no idea.
Just an hour north of Toronto. Not a sign of them yet here…of course the freezing rain might be hampering their flight path…sigh 
First ones came swooping in and circling last night. (North Georgia)
Saw my first ones this morning in Middle TN!
