I also have broken eggshells under a new swallow nest. Probably house wrens that are known to puncture shells of birds in “their” territory 
Mine (in CT) showed up two weeks ago! So excited to see them although it seems like fewer pairs than last year.
Arrived last week in Southwestern NY.
I’ve seen barn swallows around, but one couple just started building in our horse loafing shed. I might add a couple of cedar ledges on the side that isn’t over the horses, but I won’t feed the horses under their nests, anyway, so I’m not sure it matters.
I’m afraid my dependable swallows have been evicted by the sparrows.
The sparrows stay through the worst of Winter, I don’t begrudge them that.
But after almost 20yrs of mud nests in my rafters, Flight School for the swallow babies, 1st, then 2nd clutch…
Last year: Nothing & no sign of return this year. 
Damned starlings are still resident, hatching the World’s Dumbest fledglings.
I saw my horse nosing something at the front of his stall. Slid the door open & THREE baby starlings fluttered out.
Rescued another from the aisle floor, sat it on the stacked hay & it was gone the next morning.
I want my swallows back! 
I laugh at my “less than last year” post above. Noooooooo. There are TONS.
Think there were several pairs, rather than just the one, that was the scouting crew. Then the rest of the flock turned up! 
They’re starting to sit, so babies soon!
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Send me some *SWALLOWS!!!*
Please? 
Finally! Eastern Ontario. One pair.
Sure, babies will start falling out of nests before too long. I’ll just box em up
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I’ve got bunches in both barns. Happy happy! The stoopid starlings are gone. I’d put up netting in the loft where they nest, but the bats are up there, too. Also, an errant swallow, occasionally.
[quote=“2DogsFarm, post:765, topic:354937”]
I’m afraid my dependable swallows have been evicted by the sparrows.
At my barn I happen to see the other day a swallow basically hip check a sparrow that was just sitting holding a long piece of hay. I think it surprised the sparrow, it squawked dropping the hay and flew away 
I’ve never seen the swallow do that before.
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I have not seen Barn Swallows but I know they are here because the Swainson Thrush are here in Puget Sound country
Our barn swallows are well established, and have fledged their first brood.
Earlier this morning I saw a mall (but healthy) fox trotting across the paddock right outside the dining room window. The a group of about 10 barn swallows started dive-bombing him. He (or she) flinched every time they go close and eventually turned around and went back the way he (or she)came.
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That’s exciting you’ve already had a set fledge! Mine are in nests…I look up and see those little yellow gapes begging. A week or so before they start testing their wings, I’m guessing? Amazing how quickly they grow.
Not at all surprised about the fox! They harass my barn cat, too.
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Yes, I have seen them divebomb cats, but even a small fox is a lot bigger than a cat. And the cats didn’t run away. They would (at least pretend to) try to catch the barn swallows.
Back in the '60s we had a female white cat with blue eyes. As is common with that genetic combination, she was deaf. Because you couldn’t call her, she didn’t have a “real” name. She was just “White Cat”. The barn swallows quickly discover that they could divebomb a LOT closer to her without danger, so they teased her mercilessly.
Sadly my swallow numbers seemed to be down from last year? With the barn cats and my dogs the survival rate of newly mobile babies is very low and maybe some went someplace safer?
The ones I do have have left the nest but the parents are still here and they are very protective. Dive bombing us, the dogs and goats even if a youngster is near.
I love having them even though they make a royal mess.
The numbers seemed to be down at the barn my horse is at and I also noticed they seemed to have left earlier than last year… they’re already gone 
Mine are almost gone, one last nest of 3 that are close to fledging. I expect they will all be gone by next week.
Mine are going too, but they’re normally out by mid August ish. So they’re hanging on a little later this year!
Now: the flies descend. Gah. NOTHING makes me as grateful for the swallows as the number of flies that pop up when they leave 
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They left early at our barn this year too. I’ve been meaning to check this thread to see if others noticed. We had a few stop through last week like it’s a known layover spot. They left within a day.
