The Welcome swallows are lingering at Casa da Ayre

Amanda and I partook of our luncheon on the back verandah at Casa da Ayre today.  A Welcome swallow materialised and did several high-speed loops around the backyard calling loudly before zooming under the carport.  It didn't emerge out the other side.

Amanda gave a bit of a squee of delight.  It is so good to see them back.  I slowly looked into the carport, and sure enough, the swallow was peering back at me from the joists, less than 50cm from the now abandoned nest.  Amanda worked from home yesterday and mentioned that she had noticed a Welcome swallow actually sitting in the nest for a few hours.

I suspect that this bird might be one of the nestlings that fledged late last year, or perhaps it's one of the adults just dropping by to see if the nest is still usable for next spring.  According to Birdlife Australia, this species nests from August to February, so we are now well outside of the usual breeding season.  I will keep an eye out to see what develops.  See here and here for more details about Welcome swallows.