We have always had many swallows in an outhouse on our farm. A couple of years ago, some inexperienced youngsters built a nest immediately above our back door. It was too near the porch ceiling and too small to be practicable so no birds have ever laid in it - till now. The nestlings hatched a few days ago, and already one has fallen out (we put it back in with a ladle). The nest is tiny - they have already thrown out what looks like a moss and feathers lining, presumably in an effort to make more room - its capacity is no bigger than an average woman's hand, cupped. Four big swallow chicks will never be able to fit in there. I have ordered an RSPB ready-made swallows' nest, but how would it be best to try and provide it as alternative accommodation? Is it essential to place it as close as possible to the existing nest? (A place three feet away under the porch roof would be easier in terms fo fixing.) Should we do the installation at night to minimise disturbance? Should we place one nestling in first to see if the adult birds will feed in the new nest? Or should we just give up and watch them struggle (difficult!)
Hi Duzeler,
It will simply be a case of the closer you can get the nest to its original location the better, so ideally you should try and site the new nest as close as possible.. 3ft does sound ok, as the parents should easily hear the young calling and so long as they can land in the the nest they will continue to feed them until they fledge naturally..
In the meantime or as an alternative to get the job done asap you could use a shallow margarine or ice cream tub or low plastic flower pot as a good substitute..
Place the remains of the old nest or some hay inside, and pop "all" the nestlings in so theres minimal disturbance as possible. As its best to do this asap, daytime will be fine. The parents should then continue to feed them.
In the rare instance when parents desert or it is not possible to provide a substitute nest, the young will depend on human help for their survival. Rearing young swallows is difficult and time consuming, and should be taken on only as a last resort. The young birds are best passed to an expert rehabilitator.
As the RSPB deals soley with conservation (Reserves/Habitats etc), we don't have rescue facilities or veterinary staff so i would say the easiest way to find regional rehabilitators/wildlife rescue (if required) is to contact the "Wildlife Hospitals Trust" on Tel:01844-292-292. web: www.sttiggywinkles.org.uk
Regards
Lloyd
Hi! I was just wondering how your baby swallows were doing. Hopefully all are well :)
I saw the swallow nests on the RSPB website...fabulous idea!
Make the most of today because, unlike Sky+, there isn't a rewind button.
Yes of course!! The advice given above was to get an immediate solution but i do agree in that artifical nest can help to prevent this sort of problem from occuring.
They can be seen here
The RSPB swallows' nest arrived yesterday, but unfortunately it was broken on arrival. I wonder if terra cotta is the best material to use, and whether some kind of resin or similar thing would be better and less breakable. I have informed the RSPB who are supplying a replacement.
In the meantime, the swallows are thriving but I am going to try Lloyd's suggestion of a margarine tub or small flowerpot in the next 24 hours to give the growing birds more room, and I am wondering if they do take to the tub/flowerpot it might be best to leave them there rather than risk another house-move for them?
Sorry to hear about the state your nest has arrived in! If you contact the orderline number im sure you should be able to get a new replacement. I guess the reason they are made from the terracota is to immitate something as close to the natural nest as possible, i will mention this to our trading team though..
If the birds do respond and take to the substitute nest i suggest it is best to just leave them be and put a new artificial nest up after they fledge any further disturbance will only create further unnccessary risk in them being abandoned.
As I mentioned before if they are abandoned contact the number above.
Fingers crossed!
Hi Duzeler!
any news on the babies? How are they doing?
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
The swallow project was 80% successful - the one which fell out didn't survive but the other four fledged and flew successfully without my having to provide the alternative nest. My partner, a farmer who loves birds and has lived here all his life, advised me that the existing nest would be big enough and he was right!
That's great news Duzeler!! Thanks for that! Obviously the parents knew what they were doing after all!
Hi Duzeler
I caught up with this post late in as I only joined a few days ago but I am delighted as well. Terrific news.
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!