New Beginnings

A few days ago, Robert and I were traveling around the property doing a bit of birdhouse maintenance when I spotted four Tree Swallows soaring in the high winds over Sham’s Paddock (on our Eastern property line.) I thought it was quite early to see them, but when they flew closer I was able to make a definitive identification. That white belly with a sharp delineation from the deep blue top color makes it very easy. At one point, I noticed two of the birds land on and near one of the birdhouses that Tree Swallows used last season to raise their brood.

Yesterday, I ventured out (again in relatively high winds) to see if I could spot them, again. It didn’t take long before a pair landed on that same house.

I LOVE this stage when the birds seem to be apartment shopping and are checking out entry and departure access – especially on windy days. It’s as if they are verifying that they can make a good landing since, once the chicks hatch, that’s going to be going on non-stop for a couple of weeks.

I stay pretty far away from a pair of birds that is in this stage, so the photos aren’t stellar. Once they have settled on a specific abode and are setting on eggs, Tree Swallow are quite tolerant of me hanging around to film them (more so than other species.) I still respect their privacy and don’t get too close. At this time, I stay well away.

You might notice that we offer a second perching post near the birdhouse. We’ve found that both Tree Swallows and Bluebirds truly welcome them, especially when the house is set well away from any trees or bushes.

The PVC birdhouse in these photos is a prototype of our home design that we offer at our FarmGoneWild Etsy site.