A clean box! This box is now ready for next year's nest. Only some dust and the occasional feather is evidence of the chicks that were in this box this year. 

An empty nest! All of the babies have left to catch their own food and take their own chances out in the big wide world.

Today was banding day for the chicks! Because they are 11 days old today, their legs are developed enough for a small aluminum band to be placed on their leg. They are also measured and weighed. 

At 11 days old the chicks weigh about 20 grams. Their flight feathers have started fluffing out and their eyes are fully open and alert. 

This nest has hatched! There are still a few eggs left, but they will likely hatch by 6/13! Both parents were caught as well. Their mom and dad were newly banded as adults last year! These little guys will be banded on the 23rd!

This nest has 7 eggs, which is slightly above average for tree swallows, but they certainly look pretty organized in the nest in that spiral pattern! The eggs in this nest are due to hatch on 6/11.