At Canoe Cove on the island there is a beautiful park. We love to go there with our grandchildren, especially when low tide allows beach exploration. However, during the spring, no matter the tide,
my husband and I have watched the Bank Swallows there and were eager to see the tiny avian speedsters again. The birds weren’t in the same location as before, but had moved their nests along the coastline.
Erosion destroys many nests each year and it’s tough for the birds because they must dig new nests into the banks when they are tired after the long journey north. The Bank Swallows at Canoe Cove managed again this year.
We stayed inside the chained area away from the bank but patience paid off. The adults,
returning to the nests with food for the young,
were fast but we were able to “capture” them.
It was a thrill to watch them do their aerial acrobatics over the area.
While we had our picnic lunch, the sounds of the birds and their occasional passes overhead, provided entertainment unique to Canoe Cove. The view across the Cove shows a typical island scene for late May, fields of dandelion in full bloom.
After lunch we drove back towards home, stopping at Cavendish Grove along the way. The Grove has changed a lot in the last month,
the water in the pond having been replaced by reeds and grass.
There were two geese still in residence and mallards as well but grackles and blackbirds were most prevalent. However, Tree Swallows glided and flitted overhead, a sight new to us at the Grove. It was impossible to take a photo of them in flight. I have one photo of a Tree Swallow on a wire which I took in North Rustico recently.
Watching the swallows was an experience of natural magic provided by the island.
31 comments:
Yes, the flight of swallows is wonderful to see. Such athletes. And so unerring.
I love watching swallows dart and fly! Such graceful birds.
Spring is definitely here, and your swallow adventure shows it's also in the PEI. Thanks for the great shots, Marie. :-)
Fantastic! Again I'll say, your island is so beautiful.
such beautiful birds... happy sigh...
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Hello,
Great sighting of the Bank Swallows. The Tree Swallows are cute too.
Beautiful views and photos. Take care, enjoy your day!
Beautiful!
Nice pictures
it s amazing that nature has evolved the way that it has with species finding their own odd little niches.
That looks a great place to watch the Bank Swallows, or Sand Martins as we call them. There's not much obvious pattern to where they nest; I know that they'll sometimes abandon apparently good nest sites and dig tunnels elsewhere. I could sit and watch their acrobatic flight all day.
How wonderful. It sounds like a completely perfect way to spend a lot of time - and in excellent company too.
You live in a very beautiful area. Love the photos.
It is especially encouraging to see the Bank Swallows succeeding, Marie. They often have difficulty finding nesting sites and their numbers have been in a free fall in recent years. Great pictures!
What a treat! The photo of the bird peeking out of the nest is just adorable.
You live in a beautiful place, such lovely photos. As John states we call Bank Swallows, Sand Martins here in the UK and the Tree Swallow we call House Martins. I love it when you see familiar birds living in far away places (to me)
I love swallows, especially their tails.
Swallows always put on a great show.
Your area looks so refreshing.
Coffee is on and stay safe
The Bank Swallows certainly show how tenacious Nature is. I hope they manage to rear their young before more bank is eroded away.
I can only imagine how many pictures it took to capture those swallows in flight. I love photographing flying waterfowl but I am lucky if I get one keeper out of 50 pictures!
We were at Rice Point yesterday. We should have continued on to Canoe Cove. Next week. The swallows would be a delight to watch.
I love your view across the Cove. I am filled with the joy of all the golden, dandelion fields. I'm looking forward to meeting you soon.
i have missed your entries and enjoyed this immensely. the captures of the bank swallows are fabulous, i assume preparedness and timing was everything!!
your images are lovely and i am so happy you managed a picnic. in the view across the cove, i assume that land will continue to erode, what will become of the house and land?
all those dandelions, how wonderful for the bees...and the seeds will not go to waste either!!
I am impressed, in fact I am awed, by your quick finger on the camera. Nice captures indeed. They are sweeties. And I like the contrasting photos of the early and late spring.
So beautiful! You live in a such a lovely place Marie...
Beautiful pictures too!
Love from Titti
i can only imagine the excitement and joy you feel during this season dear Marie when earth reveals it's bursting natural beauty so magically wow !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the bird on the wire is breathtaking and bravo for the brilliant shot of bird carrying food for young :)
more joys to you !
As usual your pictures transport me to a place that is serene and more than beautiful. You are lucky to live there and we are lucky to be part of it through your posts. Many thanks Marie.
Beautiful birds! Every time I read your blog I'm amazed by the beauty of your island.
Yes, when the swallows are with us, then summer is not far away. I love watching them.
we have Barn Swallows (also called House Swallow or Fork Swallow... she has the long forked tail) and House Martin (also called City Swallow). They are beautiful birds.
Thank you for your photos. And I also love the last picture of the tree swallow, which I've never seen.
Sunday greetings to you from Viola - hug -
So interesting reading and seeing things about birds, or other wild life in bloggers other areas....things we don't see here in TN.
Swallows are such sweet little birds, I think. I love to watch them swoop and dive every spring while they build their nests.
I know I would love to visit that area and have lots of time to just enjoy the birds, as well as the scenery. I love that shot across the cove.
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