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I'm here to revisit the nest where a pair of swallows successfully reared four young last year. After they reproduced, the pair and their offspring headed for warmer climes in late September, and it is wonderful to see that at least some of the family have made it back safely.
Having built a small outhouse, partly covered by an apex roof, the owners of this property on Mendip first noticed a pair of swallows investigating the roof space in 2006. Our advice was to put a purpose built shelf towards the back of the lean-to, as the swallows were obviously drawn to the new structure because of its shape; being like that of an open barn (their preferred nesting site), but as there were no supporting beams there was no where for them to construct a nest.
The shelf worked perfectly, and within weeks the pair had begun building their cup-shaped mud nest. The nest though was only half built by the time they had to return to Africa that Autumn, but on their return in the Spring of 2007 they set about completing the structure and before long were sat on four eggs.
Of the four swallows that arrived here on the 24th of April, at least one from each pair must be members of the 2007 family, as they knew exactly where to come. After a few days refuelling one of the pairs have claimed the nest site as their own and are now busy tidying up last year’s nest in preparation for rearing the brood of 2008.
The picture taken is of the female with nesting material clearly visible in her beak. Time is of course of the essence if the chicks are to be strong enough to fly south with their parents in just a few short months, so we expect the first egg to be laid any day now.
Chris Sperring
Further reading:
Next report: How many fledglings survived?
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And if you are interested in twinning your school with an African school that also experiences Swallows, visit World Class.