The Rhythm of Spring

May 27, 2026Migration ended the way it started - in a swirl of swallows, with some swifts and martins added in.Tree swallowTree swallows were the first to arrive, in late March. They owned the skies and the bugs alone for a short while. Early April saw large swirls, with dozens above my head and dozens more flickering over the lake.Barn swallow with that magnificent tail fanned out.Next to arrive were the barn swallows. Only a few at first, but they set about creating nests under the docks immediately. Now I find them all through the park, anywhere there’s a structure they can build a nest under.The aptly named chimney swift, who looks a bit like a boomerang and a flying cigar rolled into one.Chimney swifts trickled in, remaining way up high where you could almost miss them. The flying cigars never seem to rest - I’ve never seen one perched - but as it finally warmed up, the bugs near the ground drew them down a bit closer.Female purple martin busy with nest building.The purple…