photo by Greg Hofmann

2/7/2005: It's always a joy to see the return of the Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor – the genus name means "fast-moving"). It will be a while before they start serious house-hunting, and in the meantime they will be putting on their acrobatic displays, hunting insects on the wing. These birds should be in the neighborhood until at least June, by which time their young will have fledged.