Barn Swallows fledge

Towards the end of June I noticed a nest that had been built above my garden tractor on one of the rafters of the old drive shed. The droppings from that nest indicated it had been well used. - the nest not the tractor. I went out to mow the lawns and when I returned a couple of hours later- there were these tiny white shells on the ground.

(I must recommend looking up when you park your car or tractor during bird nesting time... there was quite a mess on the hood of my tractor that morning.)

It didn't take long for the babies to fledge. That post and one later on June 26 was the last I mentioned of the little ones and there was a pretty dreadful photograph of one baby poking its little yellow beak over the edge of the nest. It amazes me how quickly they grow and outgrow their nest.

A week later - or maybe ten days, I walked into the drive shed only to be bombarded by what seemed like a hundred little swallows determined to chase me out. When I managed to stand still and look up - here is what I saw.

Two remaining fledglings getting ready to leave the nest. The rest I assume, with their parents, were urging these two to get on with it.

Here are the other two who had already braved the big wide world and flown to this nearby beam, then attacked me. Mum or dad is in the background.

A few days later, the whole family disappeared. I would see them around, flashing in and out of the trees along the road allowance as they sought insects on the fly, but they never came back to the drive shed. This is the second year in a row that barn swallows have nested here.

It's supposed to be good luck, but neighbours who have had them attempting to build on porches over exterior lights have been most discouraging to the mating couple. So I guess they figured my place was the next best option.

What a lot of fun this has been watching these babies develop so quickly. Actually the tree swallows are the same. A mating pair, in and out of a nest box, chasing away suspected intruders (including my poor bluebirds for whom the boxes were erected in the first place, but you can't fight mother nature) and then suddenly there are eggs. Seven of the 13 boxes had nests. One tree swallow pair decided to move in next door to the bluebirds. One pair of bluebirds built a nest only to be chased away by swallows who constructed their own feather-lined shallow container on top of the elaborate grassy structure created by the pair of optimists. But there were at least three baby bluebirds from the relocated nest.

While I got photographs of many of the tree-swallow eggs - I didn't capture the babies - every time I approached the nest boxes the adults would swarm me. One time another group of fledglings attacked and I had to put up my hand to keep them from hitting my head... not something I would relish trying to remove a bird from my hair.

So now they are all gone, though I occasionally see swallows around. If they haven't begun migration yet they will soon. I've seen the starlings and other blackbirds swarming. Fall is approaching.

Aren't we lucky to have the changing seasons and all they bring with them here in Canada?

Spring treasures

A week ago last Sunday I took out the old garden tractor I purchased a year ago to help me mow the grass closest to the house and the pathways in the pasture so it's easier to walk the dogs. An hour later, I'd finished and returned to the drive shed. I noticed some white things on the ground where the tractor had been parked.

On close inspection, the white things turned out to be barn swallow eggs. I'd decided not to park in the same spot because the nest above had given the adult swallows the perfect thing to decorate with white splotches - not easy to clean off either... and so I was doubly glad I hadn't parked underneath the nest. There were eight halves - four babies had hatched in the hour I'd been gone and mother had tossed the shells out of the nest. Great housekeeper!

Blue birds take their hatchlings' shells and deposit them far from the nest...other birds sometimes also hide them and I don't recall seeing any pale blue tree swallow eggshells, except for once or twice... usually they are dropped in the long grasses.

So Monday morning, I was getting something from the drive shed and looked up to see two little heads - with their yellow beaks wide open, leaning over the edge of the nest... I suppose the sound of me coming in had alerted them. But I was so surprised at the size. The tiny eggshells weren't much bigger than the end of my baby finger, (and I have small hands) but these open beaks would have been twice the size of the egg already. Miracles from mother nature.

For two days when I entered the shed, one of the parents flew around and around quite concerned. Now they seem more relaxed and little heads are peering over more frequently. At first the beaks are wide open, but then when they realize it isn't food coming their way, they close them up or drop back.

Today I'm going to try to get a clearer photograph of the babies...but here's what they looked like  - you can just make out three little heads and one wide open beak in the nest on the rafter. (sorry the image isn't as clear as it might be) One day old - imagine! What a treat this was. Each day, possibly each minute, something amazing happens in nature if we only pay attention.