I think about both of my daughters taking flight as I walk Cherokee Marsh and delight in the return of the tree swallows. The birds dip and glide across blue skies, chirp and chatter in the tree knots, and make ballets in the clouds, so many that there are clouds of swallows. An iridescence of joy. A presence of happiness. Of home.

Jim Mand, Paul Noeldner, Jan Axelson, and Tom Jarvis have relocated and remapped nest boxes for the bluebird nest box trail in the North Unit of the Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park. There are also bluebird trails at the South Unit of Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park, Meadow Ridge City Park, the TPC Wisconsin golf course, Yahara Heights County Park, Cherokee Marsh Natural Resource Area, Token Creek County Park, and the VFW Club on Highway CV.

Sparrow-proof bird houses for chickadees and house wrens available