Spring Tree Swallows in the marsh – Nikon D500, tripod mounted, f9, 1/2000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
A little birdie told me that Tree Swallows returned to the marshes at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge about the middle of this month.
Okay, that “little birdie” is actually our own April Olson who comments here frequently. She has been to the refuge more recently than I have and she told me about the birds that she saw there. I was excited to hear about the return of the swallows. April said that the swallows were too flighty for photos and I can totally understand that.
I have yet to see my first of season Tree Swallow. I hope that happens soon.
When the Tree Swallows first arrive here on spring migration they are busy feeding, socializing, finding mates, and getting ready for their nesting season. These Tree Swallows don’t nest on the refuge because they need trees or man made nest boxes to nest and there aren’t many trees that are suitable for that at the refuge.
The photo above was taken from the auto tour route in early April of 2019.
Male Tree Swallow close up – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Most of the Tree Swallows I photograph during the nesting season head up into our mountains where there are plenty of trees. I see the Tree Swallows at their nesting cavities in the Wasatch and Uinta Mountains most often.
Tree Swallows are secondary cavity nesters which means they rely on primary cavity nesters to create their nesting cavities or people who put out nest boxes. Northern Flickers, sapsuckers and other woodpeckers are among the birds that create the nesting cavities that Tree Swallows use to nest.
I photographed this adult male Tree Swallow in the Uinta National Forest at the end of May in 2018.
Male Tree Swallow in Idaho – Nikon D810, f6.3, 1/800, ISO 800, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I have also photographed Tree Swallows in Idaho and Montana during their nesting season. Finding the swallows requires sharp eyes, good ears, and keen observations skills at natural nesting cavities in forests. Thankfully I have all of those attributes. Finding them at nest boxes only requires knowing where nest boxes have been established. Tree Swallows will flock to those nest boxes if they are in locations where the habitat is suitable to their needs.
This stunning male Tree Swallow was photographed in the Targhee National Forest of Idaho in June of 2016.
Last year I didn’t photograph many Tree Swallows due to travel restrictions caused by the global pandemic. In six days I will get my second dose of the Pfizer vaccine and two weeks after that I should be able to travel a bit more than I have in the past year. Hopefully that will mean more opportunities with these striking and charismatic swallows.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Tree Swallow photos plus facts and information about this species.
So happy to hear you are nearly fully vaccinated! And thanks for the tree swallow post, I do like them. We have barn swallows here in Nova Scotia that nest in our barn, right over the horses in their stalls. They build nests there and we watch the young mature every year, a great treat.
Red winged blackbirds and some sandhill cranes were there on Monday.
Of course you are excited. I do hope you get to see (and photograph) them this year.
I have heard the Tree Swallows have returned to the Niagara area too but haven’t seen any yet. I am looking forward to seeing them.
I think they are flying gems! I was hoping to see swallows in the Kanab area in the Canyons. I didn’t.
They have returned here as well! Such amazing aerialists!