Walking along the beach this morning, I encountered the usual mix of shorebirds and seabirds that inhabit or frequent Longboat Key. Joining them was one unexpected visitor.
A barn swallow, more associated with open farm country, was skimming the dunes, searching for insects. Of course, this traveler (like myself) is but a transient visitor to the barrier island, far more comfortable in terrestrial ecosystems.
Having wintered in Central or South America, barn swallows are common summer residents throughout most of North America; a circumpolar species, they also nest in Europe and Asia. Well adapted to rural human communities, especially those near lakes and wetlands, barn swallows nest primarily beneath the eaves of buildings or under bridges. This morning's traveler was the first I have seen this spring.
