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Hi all
Not posted on here before but couldn't think of a better place to ask for advice.
My family and I live in a small holding and each year we've had beautiful swallows come to nest in some of the barns. Last year (after they'd flown the nest) we converted one of our barns into holiday cottages and later this year, we'll convert one of the other outbuilding spaces. This is great as it was our reason to move to this area, but we'd be really sad to lose the swallows returning each year and we're keen to do whatever we can to give them somewhere to nest with us.
I've seen some swallow nests made out of terracota on a peice of plywood which you nail to the wall, but my question is will they next under the apex of a roof line (i.e. the roof overhangs the wall by maybe half a foot or so)? If not, what are my options for creating somewhere for them to nest?
Also, when do they usually return as I'd like to put something up before they reach us this year to see if any of them take to it.
Any advice gratefully received,
Bri
Try this
click me
Good clear instructions on an established pattern that swallows like.
PS welcome to the forums ;)
It's both what you do and the way that you do it!
You cannot fly like an eagle with the wings of a wren. William Henry Hudson (1841 - 1922)
Thanks - so that type is preferrable to the mock mud nests you can buy?
That type of box has been successful for years, by all means try another type, but if it ain't broken why fix it?
Good Luck, hope you have some use it
I honestly don't think that type of box will attract the swallows we get in britain. Your more likely to attract house sparrows wich isn't a bad thing.
The only other way with conversions is to design some sort of entrance where they have nested with a sealed area with a ledge. Or try an open box on the wall with a ledge screwed on the back. Only an Idea
Swallows are loosing a lot of habitat this way.
Ray
a good laugh is better than a tonic
Hi Flybri. I agree with Barnsley lad. I think you need to provide a half dome type nest for Swallows. I have never seen them using a full box. They usually nest on a beam in a shed. Is it possible for you to provide this type of nest site?
You are very lucky to have Swalloes nest, so I hope you manage to provide a suitable nest site.
There are 9000 species of bird on earth. Let's keep it that way.
Thanks for all the replies. I'm really wanting to give them something to replace the nests which went when the barn was converted.
I'll buy a couple of the dome nests from the RSPB and put them under the apex of the roof lines (I'll do it on the side of the building which doesn't get the wind etc).
Fingers crossed. If I get them to take to the new nests I'll take a photo and post it.