Abandoned Swallows nest

Hello Marcia

Firstly if the chicks are resting their beaks on the nest side they are ok & just waiting for the parents to return to feed them.

Taking a break every hour is not alright as the parents require constant access to the nest as they feed many times an hour - often every few seconds.So if your prescence is disturbing them you must avoid using the shed.

If you really want swallows nesting with you leave the nest alone & they will patch it up & reuse it next year.

CJ

I have stopped working there completely now.  I am just worried that they are not chirping at all any more, they are still alive but I can gently touch their beaks and I get very little reaction - just a blink, there is fresh poop below the nest but I don't know if that if from the chicks or the parents.  Should I just leave it alone or try to feed them something?

I must admit I would rather they didn't nest there as I have to work in the shed to get my wood ready for winter - I was hoping if I removed the nest once they were gone they would find somewhere else to nest which I would not disturb.

Hello again Marcia

Leave well alone - I'm sure they are fine. If you hide outside where the parents can't be put off you should see them coming in to feed.They only eat flying insects so feeding young is a specialist job.

The parent birds - if they survive migration - will return to your shed next year regardless of whether the original nest is there or not. If you really don't want them you'll have to do something to prevent their access. Personally, as someone who has has Swallows nesting at their house for over 30 years, I am thrilled each year to have a pair return.I can't imagine summer without them..

CJ