Aerial Acrobats on Parade
Tree Swallows are back this summer’s end.
Skyward they soar and tumble in vast swarms while migrating and navigating southward along our Atlantic coast.
I observe flocks resting and roosting in grassy fields, bayberry scrub, and marsh along the Parade Ground shoreline and Hay Harbor golf course.
Subsisting on flying insects of all types, Swallows on the move inhabit these perfectly sheltered areas feeding on dragonflies, moths, butterflies, beetles, ants, bees, spiders-their menu goes on and on! During summer breeding months they even swoop back and forth to the beach for high calcium clam shells and fish bones.
From 1966 to 2010 New England saw the Tree Swallow population in serious decline. Perhaps there is too much managing and clearing of woodlands for these tree cavity dwellers.
Welcome back beautiful birds….