Acrobatic swallows wing their way north in pursuit of emerging insects

By Charlie Mitchell

Published April 22, 2026 at 1:09 PM CDT

A Tree Swallow parent feeds its baby in Comfort Township, Minnesota on June 26, 2024. The fledgling is perched on a power wire and is flapping its wings and extending its neck. The parent is landing on next to it and leaning toward the fledgling. — A Tree Swallow parent feeds its baby in Comfort Township, Minnesota on June 26, 2024.

During the Phenology Report for the week of April 21, 2026, Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on aspen flowers, migrating swallows, and the beginning of the dawn chorus.

What have you seen out there? Let us know: email us at comments@kaxe.org or text us at 218-326-1234.

For more phenology, subscribe to our Season Watch Newsletter and podcast or visit the Season Watch Facebook page.

Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).

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