Tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) are amazing bug-seeking aerialists. They are given public housing in several locations in New York City, including Governors Island and Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. They also nest at the Lido Beach Passive Nature Area on Long Island.
Tree swallow, Lido Beach Passive Nature Area, June 7, 2021
Tree Swallows at Jamaica Bay
While not acknowledged as a bird classification, the zoom-zoom category of birds includes some of the most fun flying critters to watch. Zoom-zoom birds almost never stop, they zoom around hunting insects, rarely perching or holding still. They are almost impossible to photograph, except when they are breeding. Zoom-zoom birds include swallows and swifts, and some of the most beautiful of the swallows are the tree swallows.
Tree swallow, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, April 21, 2023
These zoom-zoom birds were photographed at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge on April 21 and May 29, 2023, resulting in a video where you watch them zoom around and interact.
The photos in this slide show were taken April 21, 2023.
These photos are from May 29, 2023.
Lots and Lots of Tree Swallows
Tree swallow, the view from the nest box, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, May 15, 2021
Tree swallow on nesting box, Governors Island, May 1, 2021
Tree swallow scouting out nest boxes, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, March 25, 2021
The tree swallows have returned to nest at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, March 25, 2021.
The tree swallows in this slideshow were seen on Governors Island, at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, at Mount Loretto Unique Area on Staten Island, and at Lido Beach Passive Nature Area on Long Island, May 1 through June 24, 2021.
Tree swallow in nest, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, May 27, 2020
Tree swallow, Mt. Loretto Unique Area, Staten Island, May 22, 2019
A tree swallow keeps a watchful eye, Lido Beach Passive Nature Area
Where is dinner? May 17, 2019
Tree Swallows on Governors Island 2018
When Governors Island reopened on May 1, 2018, we were on the first ferry at 10 a.m. I especially wanted to see if the tree swallows were reestablishing their nests. They were!
Tree swallow, Governors Island, May 1, 2018
The second Filming the Feathers video featuring the tree swallows is set on Governors Island and is accompanied once again by Papalin playing Béla Bartók.
These photos were all taken on May 1, 2018, on Governors Island.
Tree Swallows at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge 2017
These tree swallows were at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge on May 14 and 16, 2017. In the Filming the Feathers video, they are seen soaring over the water and trees, going in and out of their nest boxes, perching briefly on branches, nest boxes and refuge signs, and mating on a tree branch.
Tree swallow, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, May 16, 2017
I set the Filming the Feathers video to music by Béla Bartók (Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56, arranged for recorders, performed by Papalin) and Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky (the Scherzo Pizzicato movement of Symphony No. 4, F Minor, Op.36, credited to European Archives), both pieces obtained from MusOpen.org, a royalty-free music source.
Richard Farina wrote a beautiful folk song in the 1960s, A Swallow Song. It was recorded by Richard and Mimi Farina, Joan Baez, and Mimi and Joan Baez. I love the first two verses:
"Come wander quietly and listen to the wind
Come near and listen to the sky
Come walking high above the rolling of the sea
And watch the swallows as they fly
"There is no sorrow like the murmur of their wings
There is no choir like their song
There is no power like the freedom of their flight
While the swallows roam alone"
These photos are from the May 14 and 16, 2017, trips to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.
