The lower apartment still had its feather lining.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the swallows that were better late than never! I have since learned that one of the first sighting of the purple martins’ return was May 8, in the Ilwaco harbor nesting area. My friend Pat reported that two were sitting on the roof of one of the nesting boxes. By now, I am sure all the boxes have tenants. If you venture down to the harbor listen for their bubbly, gurgling calls as they fly high in the sky snatching insects on the wing.

Sydney Stevens reports that all is well with the barn swallows and cliff swallows in Oysterville. On checking the progress of the barn swallows it seems that one pair has built a nest inside last year’s nest. Science tells us that barn swallows will use nests many times over and over and year after year. Sydney’s swallows are doing just that this spring. She noted that the old nest might have been considered because it appears to have been worked on and is lined with feathers. It could be that they are last year’s feathers, or the barn swallows just decided to have a new place, or as Sydney puts it, “they decided they’d rather have an upper apartment and so built that right ‘in’ the old nest.” Barn swallows are excellent recyclers. Sydney also reports that the “cliff swallow colony continues to grow at the church.”

Lady Junco is not revealing the name of her hotel so far. She has usually nested in the Hosta Hotel, but this spring while she is in the vicinity of the hotel, she has not revealed her choice for this year’s brood. Shelley is keeping an eye on things. Hopefully, she will find the whereabouts of Lady Junco’s nest.

Male American robins are loudly proclaiming their territory these days, while mama robin is sitting on the eggs. Soon, he will be gathering worms and other protein snacks for their nestlings. He will become a caregiver! In the meantime, besides singing his heart out he spends time in the bird bath. Today, he spent a lot of time, almost a half hour. No other bird dare tries to get a drink of even think about sharing the bath. I think he is the cleanest robin in town. After an acrobatic bath with wings flapping and his head ducking in and out of the waves the flapping created, he flew up to a branch where he shook, rattled, and rolled until his feathers were dry. All the while expecting a refill of water in the bath. Once filled Mr. Robin was back at it again. I am sure he will miss his lengthy baths when he takes up his parental duties! On occasion Mrs. Robin comes to the bath as well, but her time is short and sweet! I look forward to seeing the nestlings take advantage of the bird bath. It won’t be long.

Other news from the birders in Pacific County include reports of bank swallows and a Wilson’s phalarope. The mountain bluebird is still being seen in various spots and the laughing gull is still being observed at the Tokeland marina. Ridgefield has been a respite for a sandhill crane and a tundra swan. As usual, Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge is an excellent place in which to go birding. Swainson’s thrushes, olive-sided flycatchers and western tanagers are singing loud and clear on the Peninsula. Varied thrushes have joined the chorus too.

Thus, there is good birding these days in our area. I hope you will grab your binoculars and look for our feathered friends. Birding is very exciting at this time of year. Happy birding!