Possibly saw a scout last night in central ohio but nothing more. Our turkey vultures returned early this year, March 11th!
I hope they delay their arrival as it is too cold and miserable for me to leave the barn doors open. Rain, freezing rain and strong east wind today.
Unfortunately my numbers were down quite a bit last year. There was a time when I had so many I couldn’t count them. Only two occupied nests last year. I wasn’t sure whether my cats were the reason but I have always had barn cats.
South eastern Ontario here. An inch of new snow on the ground and not a swallow in sight. I’m thinking of knitting sweaters for the robins.
Woodcocks a couple of weeks ago, first Killdeer yesterday but no swallows yet! Last year they returned 3 weeks from now.
None here in Eastern Ontario yet.
Plenty of Robins and I heard a Killdeer yesterday.
We also still have snow… and rec’d another 2-3" today
I have not yet opened all my barn doors… but I will by the end of the week when the temps are ‘supposed’ to get much warmer.
Redmond Washington ( east of Seattle)
Not back in CT yet. They usually don’t appear at the barn until May. I would imagine they follow the food, and since bugs are heavily on the diet and there aren’t any yet, that could be the reason.
None here yet, and of course I’m worried. Other migrants are here on time, whip-o-wills, brown thrashers, the tree swallows are already doing their nest picking-out thing. The barn swallows should have been here on the sixth. We’ve got bugs.
I’m on alert.
Last year they arrived about 10 days late (and I’ve been tracking my guys habits re: arrival and departure) for about 22 years. I suspect it is because last winter was even more bitter in temps well into late March than this year.
If that is a factor, I expect to hear that cheerful “peep” from 2 scouts next week…on normal schedule.
Just makes me so happy and puts a spring in my step, as it is a true sign the winters I no longer love are finally over…:lol:
I rehab babies during the summer if I can’t get them back in their nests…so the cage, mealworms and hemostats (my “beak”) 
are already ready.
My left over boxes of mealworms are still in the fridge from last year. It’s amazing how many are still alive when you pull them out for the next season.
No sign of any in Southern Ontario, either. Lots of robins, redwing blackbirds, killdeer, ‘my’ pair of geese have returned to the pond, and the tundra swans have been flying over for about the last 10 days. Temp here today was 37F, windy, with rain, and really thick fog. Yuck!! Swallows will be happy not to be back yet.
They’ll follow the flying bugs. That is their diet. As soon as we have them consistently they’ll be back and nesting.
I don’t like summer bugs (basically flies that bother the horses), but I hate winter more. I’ll take the bugs and swallows any day. And I won’t even complain about the heat after this bastardly winter. :lol:
I shall remain hopeful, sid
Still none here but the killdeers came back this week and mourning doves have been here for a week or so. Haven’t seen any blackbirds yet and that also includes several annoying species as well - things like grackles, cowbirds and starlings, the redwings and yellowheads are just fine. No meadowlarks yet but should be back soon. Loads of ducks now.
Barn swallows arrived here April 1st, one week earlier than last year! Happy dance.
They’ve been here for 10 days, Tryon, NC area.
I love having them in the barn, regardless of the mess.
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I shall remain hopeful, sid :)[/QUOTE]
Scouts arrived late yesterday. A week early!
I’m happy to report there are no signs of owls in the barn this year, so hopefully they’ll have a good nesting year.
First one arrived this morning…Northern Chester County, Pa.
We have a ton of birds breeding in out indoor as of the last few weeks. I’m not sure what species though. It sounds like a jungle in there. Connecticut
Not in Mid Michigan yet either
Whew, first scout yesterday afternoon!
Looking back on my old calendars, they’ve come as early as the 3rd, and as late as the fifteenth. My birthday is on the 4th, so I’ve often been able to do the barn swallows for my birthday dance.
Are any northern folk missing their juncos or white-throated sparrows? They’re still here. Seems like they should have left by now. I typically note arrivals but not departures, so have no way of knowing.
