It's too early to say with absolute certainty since I haven't seen a nest yet, but it definitely looks like our barn swallows are back. They have been swooping, screeching and twittering around our front door all day. It was kind of a mess to clean up afterward when they left last year, but I think we've agreed that we're going to allow them to build again this year. Who doesn't love baby birds?

Last year there was just one brood, but they didn't start building a nest until late June. I wonder if they're gearing up for two this year since it's only mid-May.