Tree Swallows

The west bird house in the bottom field is being thoroughly checked out by this pair of tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor). They've been in and out several times, but we've not seen them bringing nest material in yet. Although these boxes are occupied by combinations of bluebirds and sparrows every year, this is the first time we have seen tree swallows on and in them. But the neighborhood is big enough for everybody and, like the bluebirds, we welcome more bug eaters!

In the next couple of days we (like the swallows in the photo below) will be checking out the pair of bluebirds that are in the house next door, about 150 feet east (left in the photo).