Swallow Peeking Out

Back from Pennsylvania, we returned to the Rail Trail early this morning--still grey though it cleared up gloriously later. This is one of pair of Tree Swallows nesting in a dead trunk not far from the start of the path at Station Road.

This bird is a second year female (hatched last year, perhaps eleven months old), identifiable by its still-grey head--though tiny patches of blue (best viewed large) indicate that it's beginning to acquire its intense blue (sported by both of this pair blipped a few days ago). These swallows are everywhere along the trail