01/09/2026
The last ones to leave
We really enjoyed ‘hosting’ many swallows around our old house this summer. It’s always a joy when they arrive early June and start building their nests right under the roof.
The common swift is particularly special to us since it produces our ultimate summer sound. They fly in groups around the house and the neighborhood just before sunset and again at dawn, catching plenty of mosquitoesfor their chicks.
We are always sad to see them leave around the second week of August.
Then they will spend ten! months straight in the air before returning to us next summer to nestle again.
Fortunately, the last ones standing are still with us for a few days. These are the barn swallows; they nest just by our back door, and the chicks are almost fully grown and ready to fledge.
We love these birds and will definitely miss all of them!