This is going to be short today. It’s a gorgeous day outside and since my job involves me sitting in front of a computer for 8-10 hours a day 5 days a week, I want to be outside as much as possible. We have more rain coming midweek.

Today I’m working on installing a nestcam for the barn swallow nest that’s on top of one of our outdoor deck speakers. We’ve had a nesting pair of swallows raise chicks there in 2022 and 2023, and expect them (or one of their offspring) back again this year…soon. Hence the urgency on getting the nestcam installed; I want it up and running by the time they return and start scoping out the nest. I’ll broadcast the stream on this website (and on YouTube), and let you know when it’s going. You can expect to see the prospective parents repairing the nest, sitting warming eggs, and feeding the chicks. Eventually the chicks will be perched on the edge and begin making experimental flights. It’s really quite fascinating.

Here’s a picture of last year’s babies grouped on our deck railing after leaving the nest for the first time:

More to come, please check back!