July 31, 2010

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.

23 comments:

  1. I love swallows...their color, their flight...they're just too cool. As is your post!!

    LETTER TO GOD [written by a DoG] You'll need to scroll down a bit beyond my 3-D movie rant.

    Have one super weekend!!

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  2. Beautiful and cute. In the second season they got the place nest for right.

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  3. So pretty!! I love all your photos, I love the mountains!!!

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  4. Quite amazing how the nest and the hatchlings survive through the trip. Now they have a happy life in fron of them.

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  5. Aren't they just so sweet, Janie... Swallows much build their nests pretty darn STURDY.... Wow---glad the little ones lasted through those trips... Amazing... Glad all is well in Swallow-land at your house!!!!

    Have a great weekend.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  6. What a great post! I'm glad they were ok with the trips and mom and dad found them to finish taking care of them.

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  7. A happy ending.. thank goodness! Love that darling last photo!

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  8. Awwwww... what a lovely story.

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  9. Great post Janie! Wonderful photos of those sweet little swallows.

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  10. Wow, those are some amazing gypsy swallows. Very surprised the nest didn't fall apart or the babies fall out with all that open air traveling.

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  11. How blessed these sweeties are to find such a comforting home in your place. I always believe that giving all creatures great and small with love and respect, they give you delights and joy back.

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  12. Gives a whole new meaning to mobile home. Great story and lovely pics.

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  13. I'm glad all is well in Swallowland. I wonder if the hatchlings enjoyed your outings as much as we do? Probably not, since they couldn't see the gorgeous views along the trails.

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  14. Great shots, Janie! We had swallows build a nest under our deck and when they left we were going to remove it but discovered that it's too well built! So I'm not surprised that your nest survived that trip.

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  15. I can't believe they stayed in the nest. Amazing story.

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  16. These little ones went sightseeing before they fledged!

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  17. I'm sure that was an adventure both parents and youngens didn't anticipate having. But it had a happy ending ;)

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  18. Its nice to watch birds biuld their nest.
    A Robin has started building one in our porch and am recording the daily progress.

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  19. Their nest building capabilities are amazing. Looks like they are up to Florida's hurricane code!

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  20. Well now, won't those fledglings have quite the story to tell their own little fledglings in the future! That's very impressive how well they tolerated their "mobile" home. =)

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