Swallows' Choice

Last year the swallows built a nest on our back porch's brick wall:

The chicks hatched and did all right for awhile, but the west facing location and radiated heat did them in.  

This year, since we were late in using the horse trailer, birds seemed to find the underside of the gooseneck to be a prime nesting area.
We had two nests there.  This one (type of bird unknown.  The nestlings were gone before we noticed.):

And this one, the swallows' choice for the season:

Unfortunately, hatchlings were still hanging out in the nest when we hitched up the trailer and went on our first ride. 

I didn't think the little ones would survive, but they hunkered down and did okay.  The nest must be as solid as a rock.  It lasted through travel over some very rocky dirt roads. 

When we returned home from the first day trip, we tried to park in the same location, and the parents quickly found the youngsters.  After the second day outing, we parked in the driveway, a hundred feet away from where they'd started.  Mom and Dad Swallow again found their chicks. 

After our third trip, four fledglings flew out of the nest.

This morning, we saw them sitting on the fenceline, probably waiting for Mom and Dad to return with bugs for breakfast.

All is well in Swallowland.  We'll see if they choose the mobile home option again next year. 

For more cute critters, click here.