In the spring and summer of 2025, I had a higher than usual number of sightings of Cliff Swallows at the Dover Community Trail. While it’s not entirely unprecedented since the Washington Street Mill colony is just a short way downriver, I saw them frequently enough that I began to suspect they have a nest in the more immediate area. While watching the sunset on July 5 from the Chestnut Street bridge, I saw a pair of Cliff Swallows come in to roost. Then, on the evening of July 9, I took my kayak out and was able to confirm that there is a brand-new nesting site at this location. It’s just a single nest underneath the bridge, but it does show an exciting expansion of where this species is nesting in Dover.
Cliff Swallow feeding a chick under the Chestnut Street bridge. Cameron could see at least two chicks in the nest. Photo was taken on July 9, 2025, by Cameron in Dover.
Cliff swallow nestling by Cameron Johnson, 7-9-2025, Dover, NH.
Enjoy this field note? Check out other field notes from Summer 2025!
- Bonaparte’s Gull Foot Paddling by Jim Sparrell
- Bridled Tern Goes A-Courting by Kathryn Frieden
- Condiment for an Oriole by Kathleen Cerutti
- Killdeer Display by Bruce Conti
Want even more? Visit our “From the Field” page.