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.

Do you have any idea what destroyed the nest. Do you know about how old the baby is. Does it have all it's feathers and tail feathers? The type of nest is not as important as placement. Connie has a good suggestion but whatever got the first nest may come back for more. If you could get a picture of the bird in the bucket it would help determine age and if it can get out. Good Luck!

The last couple years I had Bluebirds nesting in snags in the back yard (both snags have since fallen over). I cut way down on the food in the feeders, which I usually do anyway in the summer, because I didn't want to attract House Sparrows. Would put out a little BOSS, but only put out the home-made suet nuggets if the Bluebirds wanted some. This Spring, I had a pair of Baltimore Orioles nesting in a large Pin Oak right above the feeders. Did the same thing, cut down on the food in the feeders, because the Orioles were very territorial about the tree. They were especially aggressive towards Blue Jays, Grackles, and Crows so I stopped throwing any tidbits on the ground (like old corn chips, which the Jays and Crows like). So I would favor the security of the nesting birds. During the summer and fall, there are normally abundant natural sources of food, so feeders are not critical. Birds eat a lot of insects and feed their young insects, so they are unlikely to starve if you aren't feeding them.

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