Tag Archives: Tree Swallows

North Carolina Recap

We’ve been home for a few weeks and just getting to the rest of the NC photos. It was a great trip — and this is our second visit to a nice cottage in Manteo that we really like.

The birding in the yard is wonderful — here’s a Carolina Wren singing to me early one morning.

There’s a nice mix of woodlands and ocean — here are some shots from our outings.

A House Finch serenading.
There were many Great-crested Flycatchers about.
Tree Swallow.
This Pileated Woodpecker on a dirt road seemed healthy and just looking for breakfast.
A Coastal Plain Cooter.

The Bodie Island Lighthouse attracts hundreds of visitors each day, but we passed on climbing the stairway to the top — though I’m a pilot, I fear heights. I hope your spring birding goes well.

Productive Friday

Ginger and I took an early 3 mile walk along the river and ended up seeing/hearing nearly forty bird species. I was trying to get some exercise so we didn’t stop too often for photos.

This beaver was out for a early swim.
And just up ahead, a female Wood Duck preened and dried off.
Canada Geese in the morning sun.

There’s a lot of courting and chasing going on – and this couple needed to “get a room.”

My next objective is to tackle the warblers. It’s fun to hear and see them this time of year but they are always moving, often hidden by branches, and they test my patience. Stay tuned.

Turf Wars

At dog play group this week, while Ginger ran with her playmates, I watched Eastern Bluebirds and Tree Swallows compete for nesting sites. This rivalry is very common.

In one corner, we have a bluebird just getting ready to settle down.

Also wearing blue is a pair of tree swallows looking for a domicile.

There seemed to be a lot of trash-talking going on.

So, for about half an hour, I watched some aerial antics as the competitors went at it. My little camera caught some of the action.

We’ll see, later this month, who ends up where — it seems like the swallows often win out but this bluebird was feisty.