Each spring, tree swallows return to the ponds, fields, and open spaces around the Nazareth Motherhouse Campus. Their arrival has become a familiar part of the season at Nazareth, where the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth have long cared for the land as part of their commitment to stewardship and respect for creation. Usually by early March in Kentucky, the birds begin appearing again after spending the winter farther south.
For many people on campus, seeing the swallows and other migratory birds again feels like one of the first real signs that winter is ending.
You’ll often spot them flying low over the water or across open fields, moving quickly as they catch insects in midair. Tree swallows spend much of their time flying, and they’re remarkably agile. They can change direction almost instantly, sometimes skimming so close to the ground or water that it barely seems possible.
Once you notice them, you start looking for them every year.
These birds are easy to recognize in the sunlight. Their backs shine with an iridescent blue-green color, while their undersides are bright white. Depending on the light, their feathers can appear deep blue one moment and green the next
Beyond being beautiful to watch, they also play an important role in the environment. Tree swallows feed primarily on flying insects, including flies, beetles, and mosquitoes, which they catch while in flight. Around ponds and open fields, they rarely stay still for long.
Tree swallows rely on open habitats and safe nesting spaces to raise their young. They naturally nest in tree cavities, but they will also use birdhouses and nest boxes, such as those posted along Nazareth Road. As older trees and natural habitats continue to disappear in many areas, protected nesting spaces have become increasingly important for their survival.
That care for wildlife fits naturally into life at Nazareth. The Sisters have cared for the campus grounds for generations, recognizing that stewardship includes attention to even the small and easily overlooked parts of creation. Maintaining green spaces, protecting habitats, and simply paying attention to the rhythms of nature all reflect that responsibility.
There’s also something comforting about birds such as swallows and purple martins returning year after year. After months of bare trees and quiet mornings, their movement brings life back to the campus. On warm evenings, groups of swallows can often be seen skimming over the ponds together before settling down for the night.
In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis writes that creation is interconnected and that caring for the natural world is part of caring for one another. Watching these creatures return each spring offers a small reminder of that connection.
Sometimes the most meaningful parts of creation are the ones we almost overlook. A bird crossing the evening sky, the sound of wings and chirps overhead, and the familiar signs that a new season has begun.