Signs of Spring - Tree Swallows have returned

This morning (08 APR 2014) I saw my first Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) of the year.  This was exactly one week earlier than last year (15 APR 2013).  The birds were perched atop nest boxes at the Saginaw Chippewa Academy.  These are not the first Tree Swallows to return to the area - a look at eBird shows Mid-Michigan sightings as early as March 27th this year.

A pair of Tree Swallows (June 2009)

I have written several posts that included information about Tree Swallows.  Look at the links below for more information.

• A profile of Tree Swallows
• A post about sexual dimorphism
• A post about a nesting pair of Tree wallows
• Plans for a nest box 

A singing male Tree Swallow - note the swollen throat (June 2009)

 For more information about Tree Swallows visit the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website.