Occupied

Day 211: The swallows were a week or more late in arriving this spring, and only a few days later, we were hit with an unseasonable snowfall which laid six inches on the ground. Cold temperatures and light snow persisted for over a week. The swallows disappeared, perhaps rethinking their summer vacation plans, and I did not see another one until last week. It checked out the rental options from a respectable difference, leading me to the conclusion that this was not one of my former tenants or one of their offspring, but someone new who was unfamiliar with the territory. The houses are visible from my kitchen window, allowing me to keep a fairly close eye on them for activity, and a couple of days later, a chickadee was seen investigating Pussywillow Cottage at the far end of the garage. Next, I spotted a swallow in the doorway of the House of Chirp. The lease has been signed! Now the big question is whether or not this couple will have time to raise a brood in between our current cold snap and the first heat wave of the year. Tree Swallows like the current occupants incubate their eggs for 13-16 days. The young require another 16-24 days before they are ready to leave the nest.