Back From The South
We were glad to see our old friends who flew back from the South, the Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor). It’s fun to watch them chirping while gliding around at high speed. This spring one of their usual nest boxes was taken first by an Eastern Bluebird family (previous post) which had already produced four beautiful eggs. One of the Swallows poked its head in the house to check it out anyway. He was promptly bombarded by the male Bluebird and ended up in a nasty fight on the ground before the Swallow could get away. Both Bluebirds now stand guard not just on their nest box but on one other nest box close by.
One pair settled for the box by the vegetable garden. Watching them communicate with one another is quite funny. I wish I could tell if they are the same pair as settled there for the last two years. The Swallows have been nesting in our garden for the past several years and we hosted two broods last year alone so they could be the younger generation that were born here.
It doesn’t really matter which pair they are; they are all welcome.
Petals and Wings 
It is fun to think they’re coming back to the old homeplace.
Something to look forward to every spring. They also get used to us being close by in the garden. We can get within a couple of feet of the nest; they watch us but don’t fly away.
None of the birds in my garden are so trusting. I’m always aware when working that they’re watching and waiting for me to go inside.
I think the birds around here connect me to their food. This funny looking creature in the garden = plenty of food.
It is always good to see the swallows return 🙂
In certain cultures it’s considered a good luck sign.