Mine have built a new nest on the other side of our back door. Nest is nice lined with white feathers and for now, two pale pink eggs. Parents are hanging under the
porch at night now.
First pair moved back into our barn April 12th. We’re in SE Pa.
First pair moved in yesterday! We’re in Maryland.
[QUOTE=gumtree;8636170]
First pair moved back into our barn April 12th. We’re in SE Pa.[/QUOTE]
Just saw our fist pair this weekend, 23rd - also here in SE Pa!
Where do they go to? Or, put another way, where are they coming from?
[QUOTE=Foxtrot’s;8636557]
Where do they go to? Or, put another way, where are they coming from?[/QUOTE]
South America, I believe.
I have a pair cleaning out last year’s next as of today, April 28th.
It seems they are a few weeks late; they have been coming in/out of the barn acting like they wanted to nest but wouldn’t stay.
Two days ago we discovered starlings had ripped open a piece of ceiling insulation and were dragging hay up there to build a nest. We tore it down twice. The third time DH got really P.O.'d, got the extension ladder, duct tape, staple gun, some tin and sealed the starling’s point of construction shut.
This morning the Barn Swallows were happily chirping and re-modeling their nest.
I don’t know if it’s all coincidence or if the Swallows were afraid to nest with the starling’s at the other end of the barn. I don’t know if starling’s would destroy the Barn Swallow eggs?
Any way I am happy the little cutie barn swallows are back!
We have a dozen so far. I haven’t got an exact count because there is the start of the season squabbling over whose nest is whose. Once they settle I can count more accurately.
Oh yes - I’ve had the Starling shove the baby swallows out of the nest.
Four of them on the stall floor (vacant stall, BTW). Swooshed Starling out and put the babies back into the nest, Mother came back. Next day Starling was back, and one baby dead. Grabbed the corn broom and as she flew by managed to give her a bop with the broom. Put three babies back and they were not bothered again and fledged safely.
Hate those Starlings.
Foxtrot’s, thanks for that starling tidbit:)
I will be on the watch; hopefully they have gone elsewhere.
Foxtrot we had some baby swallows on the ground in the arena. The nest was in the rafters which we couldn’t reach. DH nailed a little basket above the kick boards filled it with hay and put the babies in there. Much to our surprise the mother found them and looked after them.
Also wanted to say that last year we did not have any swallows. Used to have a great number for many years. I wondered if my 5 cats were at fault. So far no sign of any swallows this year.
Ours showed up about two weeks late and then had to build a new nest…the spiders had covered their nest and we took it down. They moved it to the other side of our back door. They ignore our barn and nest outside our back door under the overhang.
They had four eggs last week and now mama is sitting on the nest at night and they are swirling around during the day so I think one may have hatched. Have mirror on a stick to peek into and can only see three eggs and a dark spot now.
I am in Mid-Michigan, near Lansing. Our Barn Swallows arrived on Monday the 2nd of May. I have had to keep the barn doors closed to prevent nesting inside, where the cats can cause problems after hay is stored. HOPING they find nesting spots fast, so I can let the doors stand open without the fly-thru checking for spots to nest. I always forget how noisy they are, chirping so much. Does remove the quiet in a cheerful way.
Welcome Back Birdies! Lots of little black flies for them to eat, gnats are still slow with the nightly cold.
I noticed some flying around when I was doing outside chores on Saturday. No idea how long they have been here but that is when I noticed them.
The first pair I’ve seen arrived yesterday. I’m in SE PA not far from gumtree who saw the first in mid-April. I was beginning to think they had abandoned my barn for some reason. They’re such happy little things and I’m always glad to see them each spring.
Then I will not give up yet - still waiting…up in lower mainland of BC.
Ok. Saw 4 of them today in my barn…just north of Toronto. They are definitely back to stay this time.
First spring/summer for my little barn, No swallows yet. I sure need them. In Mississippi its always mosquito season. We do have a real chimney in the house, always have Swifts, love them! Just keep the damper closed or else they come down into the house! My Swifts chatter and swoop all day, but 6pm seems to be their strict roosting time. They nearly drown out Jeopardy with their bedtime chatter.
I have far fewer this year - less than half of the usual crowd. Hopefully, they are still en route…
