Sadly, the pair of Eastern Bluebirds that moved into the house in the back corner of our yard in early spring have departed. For reasons known only to them, they simply disappeared about two weeks ago leaving a beautifully built nest in the house. Hoping for their return, I left the nest in place. Now, I am pleased to report, a couple of Tree Swallows have moved in. While I might have preferred bluebirds, I can’t complain about the 2000 insects that each adult Tree Swallow consumes each day PLUS the additional 6000 insects per day that they feed to their brood of nestlings. That adds up to nearly 200,000 insects per breeding season, though, trust me, I won’t be keeping track. And, they do most of their feeding within 40 feet of the ground, eating the black flies and mosquitoes that would otherwise be eating us.

Though they lack the romantic legend of the San Juan de Capistrano Cliff Swallows, Tree Swallows are beautiful birds both in repose and in flight. Like groomsmen at a wedding in their iridescent, blue jackets and buff-colored vests, they swoop and glide around our backyard from dawn until dusk. Apparently, they also bathe in flight, an activity that leaves me speechless! At times the air is filled with their cheerful, repetitive calls. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6Jpi3TEQXI

While we have only the pair of swallows in our backyard, there are more in the field beyond, and they all seem to play with one another in flight. Did you know that a collection of swallows is sometimes called a “flight” and sometimes a “gulp?” Makes me think of cold craft beer on a hot day! However, a group of Tree Swallows is known as a “stand” - just like a copse of their namesakes.