On Thursday, Feb. 25, I saw my first tree swallows of the year.  They were flying about a field along Rt. 47 near Reed's Beach.  A friend reminded me that they have a good chance of making it through the cold, since they can feed on juniper and bayberry fruit as well as insects.  I know it's hard for us to believe that spring is just around the corner, but sometimes the birds know things that are hidden to us.  Even through the snowflakes they can see the increased light at the beginnings and ends of each day and know that it's time to start getting about the business of spring.  There is a reward for the earliest returnees:  they get their pick of the best nesting spots.  But the dangers of late winter storms makes this a risky gamble.  Look  for returning Osprey also this week and next. 
   The early birds get the best housing deals.