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Strange little Barn Swallow

14 years ago

For the last week or so a little barn swallow has decided to join my tree swallows. He sits on the power line above their nest box and flys with them every day. When they are busy feeding their family he just sits and waits and then flys around with them. No other Barn Swallows around anywhere,

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Comments (8)

beegood_gw
Original Author
14 years ago
Here he is sitting as close as they will allow to the tree swallows this morning.
beegood_gw
Original Author
14 years ago
OOPS Forgot the picture
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Well these barn swallows have been re-furbishing this same nest on our porch year after year. There really is no other location on the porch or nearby that would be practical or safe for the swallows to nest. This southwestern corner is under the eaves above our steep staircase, high up and inaccessible to predators. I don't know for sure they are the *same* two swallows year after year, but there is only the one nest. Meanwhile Mrs Finch is sitting on the nest and occasionally perching on the edge to turn her eggs. I imagine Mr Finch takes over nest sitting duties, although I haven't witnessed the changing of the guards. I do see him sometimes land on the ledge and sometimes in the little crabapple tree nearby. It is totally strange to see the pair of barn swallows arriving at dusk to spend each night perched next to the nest. I wonder if one or both could be last year's barn swallow babies.
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This has been a very strange nesting year. Normally, we have both bluebirds and tree swallows occupying a single house most of the season. This year, they have come and gone and have been replaced w/other tenants. If they are like my tree swallows, they are not bothered at all by human activity. I even inspect their nests occasionally, and it doesn't seem to bother them. In fact, owners of martin houses are encouraged to frequently inspect the hatchlings for mites and other issues. Additionally, I've have many encounters w/barn swallows while fishing under bridges. They could care less about my presence. Right now, I've got a Carolina wren who took over my bat house. The bat house blew down in a storm, breaking off part of the top. I put it on its side on a table next to a big woodpile to fix, but that wren decided to nest in it before I could get the roof back on. He also is not too concerned w/my proximity. I'll wait until its done, I guess. Regardless of the strange year, I must say it has been a very successful nesting year, judging by all the juveniles. I don't ever recall seeing so many.
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Comments (6)
For the 5 th year in row we have let a family's of barn swallows nest on our back porch. They just build right on top of a decorative bird house I had . We cover the patio furniture with a blanket & love them all. We may not be able to sit out on our deck but the birds got used to us . They have the protection of the porch & no other birds will come near the nest . .Well this year one lone female started building again & for over a month tried to get a mate to come near here I don't think this is one of the swallows from before. A lot of strange things have happened . One day while I was outside one of the birds knocked an egg out of the nest. Is this unusual ??.We know some baby's where born as we watched the parents coming & going to feed them . We went away for 3 weeks. NOW MY QUESTION One lone bird is still sitting on the nest I think its a baby I have not been able to get a photo of this one. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF BABYS STAY AFTER PARENTS LEAVE?? When do they fly south ?I have never seen this happen before THANK YOU
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lisa11310
14 years ago
They seem to get along well here as I often see them flying together. One year I swear they tried to help a widowed TRES fledge her babies.
Konrad___far_north
14 years ago
Interesting!...see what comes of it and report back please.
Wish I had a suitable place for them to nest,..they look so darn cute!
Last year a pair was just about getting ready to build one in the unfinished root cellar, they were checking it out by going in and out, ..I then had to close it up because I needed to work on it.
beegood_gw
Original Author
14 years ago
That little barn swallow is still hanging out with the tree swallows but now has a friend. Another barn swallow has joined the group. Wud love for them to come back and nest here next year. Don't remember when I last saw one.
Dante1709
14 years ago
You could try hanging an artificial barn swallow cup for them to use..
Here's a link : http://www.americanartifacts.com/smma/per/nestord.htm

The maker has done some research,and tested it out multiple times.7 artificial nests had eggs and 2 previously built natural nests had eggs. No new nests had been built.

Plus, nest cups are preferred over the more popular nesting shelves.
beegood_gw
Original Author
14 years ago
{{!gwi}}

Still hanging in there
steelskies
14 years ago
I love swallows. This year I have fewer nests than other years though. I wonder why. Trying to post picture of 2 babies just out of their nest in my barn. They usually have two hatches per summer and then leave abruptly. I am so sorry to see them go. I love the little tweeting they do.

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