For today's Alt #BirdOfTheDay theme of #SereneBirdScene, here's a busy, but very peaceful scene of hundreds of #TreeSwallows circling around the marsh (more in Alt) - Newburyport, MA - 8/15/26 🤩🐦🪽 #birds #swallows #migration #ECK #StunDay #photography #OM-1 #Massachusetts @helenbennett.bsky.social

Each year in late August, thousands of Tree Swallows gather at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge to feed before continuing their migration to wintering grounds throughout the southern United States and Central America. This photo shows hundreds of blue, brown, and white Tree Swallows circling around the marsh, above and on top of green phragmites (common reeds) with brown stems at the base. There were multiple shades of blue water below, and a bright blue sky above. It was stunning to see them! Seen early in the morning at Parker River NWR in Newburyport, Massachusetts.