The Swifts Have Returned a Month Early

 I just noticed that the swifts (a type of bird) have returned, and they are at least a month early. It's been significantly warmer this winter and we've had no snow, which is an usual pattern here. In past years, we've had at least two lengthy episodes of snow, usually one in December and another in February, with 12 to 18 inches of accumulation. We've had zero snow this year. Also, the temperatures are normally much lower, with overnight lows in the 20s and 30s, and a few dips into the 10s. This year, the overnight lows have only reached 28 degrees a couple of times, and have mostly been in the 30s and 40s. We're up to the 50s during the daytime now. So, obviously, the birds decided to migrate here earlier than usual due to warmer temperatures in the region.

The reason I noticed they were present is because they often fly swiftly down the exterior of the house right outside the kitchen window, which during the daytime causes a noticable shift in the sunlight. They create a sudden and fast-moving shadow while I'm standing there washing dishes. After noticing the shadow, I went outside and looked up into the sky. Far overhead, in the misty late morning sky, I could see the birds, swooping and diving, a distinct pattern that I've only ever seen among the swifts. These birds are also known as chimney swifts.

I tried to take some photos and even tried a video, but they were too far overhead and the sky was so white and misty, that my photos and video didn't turn out well. Below is a photo of a swift that got into our house in a previous year.

After 9 years of getting to know this kind of bird, I've found that they are amazing, gentle creatures. They also eat huge numbers of mosquitos and other bug pests, keeping the populations of those nuisance bugs low, which is especially beneficial to us considering we are right next to a creek. I'm so thankful each year when I see the swifts have returned.