Bank Swallows at Ashbridge’s Bay, Summer 2022

Looking like a hoard of midges, there were 100’s of small birds high in the sky this morning at Ashbridge’s Bay.

Bank Swallows
Bank Swallows
Bank Swallows
Bank Swallows

The irregular and speedy flight pattern identified them as swallows. The smallish (4 – 5 inches) size indicated that they were Bank Swallows and the constant dry trilled, insect-like chitter or rattle confirmed it.

Most likely they come from a colony excavated into the nearby Scarborough Bluffs.

Bank Swallow colony
Bank Swallow
Bank Swallow
Bank Swallow
Bank Swallows

Bank Swallows are the first swallows to migrate south for the winter, primarily to South America.

Other birds:

mother Red-winged Blackbird with chick
Canada Goose
Double-crested Cormorant
Canada Geese
mother Red-winged Blackbird with chick
Yellow Warbler (male)
Northern Cardinal (female)
Red-winged Blackbird (female)
Gadwall
Double-crested Cormorants
Mute Swan juvenile
Mallard (female)
Mute Swan family
Mallard (female)
Mute Swan juveniles
Mallard (moulting male)
Mute Swan family
Warbling Vireo
Mute Swan family

NATURE QUOTE

For I have learned to look on nature, not as in the hour of thoughtless youth, but hearing oftentimes the still, sad music of humanity. – William Wordsworth

Miles Hearn

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