We are blessed with a delightful swallow family who have returned to the same spot on our property for the 4 summers that we have owned it. They build their nest in the same spot, at the back of a rarely used outbuilding attached to our house, and we dutifully leave the door open 24/7.
However, we are slowly restoring our property and next summer, we will start work to turn this particular space into my daughter's bedroom.
Does anyone have any ideas for welcoming them back but encouraging them to nest just 3 metres to the left (under a huge roofed and sheltered gateway) or under the eaves instead of in the actual room?
If we moved their old nest this autumn, might it help?
They are such amazing creatures... but I am afraid that I have visions of terrible disappointment after their long flight from Africa... :-) Am I being overly emotional and will they just find their own suitable space if the previous one is unavailable?
Donna
What I think is in late autumn or winter, you can remove the nest and maybe you could purchase one of those special swallow nests to encourage them to still nest but where you'd like them to nest :)
'Dip a dee dah, dip a dee ay, we're not seeing any birds to-day...'
Hi Donna,
Tern is probably right, but it'll be worth checking with a few web sites about hirundines and swifts to see if people have reported experience of trying such things.
What I can say is that swallows are adapted to nesting under a roof, not under eaves. House martins are the ones which nest under eaves. The roofed and sheltered gateway sounds favourite. But they might build their own nest, even if you put up an artificial one! Birds are fickle!
A couple of years ago on holiday in Poland, had a fantastic experience of seeing 6+ busy swallow nests inside a small stable! Youngsters were fledging at the time. Even when horses, riders and visitors were working or coming in and out, the swallows came in and out at high speed - they didn't mind people at all!
:-)
Andy
Seriously thinking about trying harder!
I would agree with putting in one of the Swallow nests that you can buy and removing their old one in autumn/winter. I know a few people that have had success with these Swallow nests, although your resident pair may be reluctant to move their nest, and it may encourage other pairs to nest as well (although I don't consider this to be a bad thing, I understand that others may think it is!) Good luck with the renovation work, let us all know how you get on!
2 more lifers since being up in Orkney: Iceland Gull and Great Northern Diver!
Most recent lifer: White-billed Diver!