WILDLIFE WATCHING -- The first violet-green swallows were spotted near Wenatchee Thursday morning, later than usual but with time to spare for the 35th annual Ardenvoir Swallow Festival on April 14.

See details from last year's festival events here.

Kerri Walters, 51, a longtime employee at Coopers Store and manager of the adjacent cafe, was deemed Swallow Queen, according to a story in the Wenatchee World. 

To win, she accurately predicted the swallow’s Thursday arrival time. They were spotted at 9:01 a.m. by the town’s Official Swallow Spotter Tim Olinghouse.

Most years, the birds arrive sometime in March from Mexico and Central America. But a warming climate -- helping to produce earlier food sources further south -- could be delaying the birds arrival time, swallow watchers have speculated.

As queen, Walters will wear the crown made of beer cans and ride in the official Swallow Fest parade.