Earlier this spring I noted a new small bird checking our
front porch out. Looking for a nesting spot actually. A couple of days later
nest construction was well underway. Having had some previous experience with
messy barn swallows in the past, I was quick to inform Mrs. Spic and Span.
She
wasn't happy with the news. The new arrival was actually one of our most familiar
eastern flycatchers, the Eastern Phoebe. I hinted rather broadly that the bird
was likely an "endangered species", which it surely was from Mrs. T's
use of the garden hose removal method. A few weeks later I checked the nest. here were five tiny eggs smaller than a dime. Then one evening I heard some eeping and watched the parents hurrying back and forth bringing supper. I ouldn't believe how crowded the nest had become. Those five little birds were iterally piled on top of each other.
Then one day they were all gone. Bon
voyage little Phoebes. In the interest of good home front cleanliness and
spousal relations I then removed the nest. Imagine my amazement when several
weeks later I found the nest rebuilt. With the same result. Two broods successfully raised then……. Two barn swallows were noted zooming around
their perch on the power lines in front of our house. The rest is
history.
front porch out. Looking for a nesting spot actually. A couple of days later
nest construction was well underway. Having had some previous experience with
messy barn swallows in the past, I was quick to inform Mrs. Spic and Span.
Shewasn't happy with the news. The new arrival was actually one of our most familiar
eastern flycatchers, the Eastern Phoebe. I hinted rather broadly that the bird
was likely an "endangered species", which it surely was from Mrs. T's
use of the garden hose removal method. A few weeks later I checked the nest. here were five tiny eggs smaller than a dime. Then one evening I heard some eeping and watched the parents hurrying back and forth bringing supper. I ouldn't believe how crowded the nest had become. Those five little birds were iterally piled on top of each other.
Then one day they were all gone. Bonvoyage little Phoebes. In the interest of good home front cleanliness and
spousal relations I then removed the nest. Imagine my amazement when several
weeks later I found the nest rebuilt. With the same result. Two broods successfully raised then……. Two barn swallows were noted zooming around
their perch on the power lines in front of our house. The rest is
history. They were barn swallows. And they moved right into the phoebe nest.
I thought immediately that it was too late in the summer. They'll never make it in time. Wrong!
Meet the barn swallow twins. After hopping around on my porch planter and railing for a few days they flew off to join their parents and hopefully live happily ever after.... :)
Birds are certainly persistent. What a cute bunch of birds you have helped to birth! And the pictures are adorable. Thanks for sharing them. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to see them grow and flourish so close to you!
ReplyDeleteThat is a lot of broods in one season. I had robins do their nesting above my front door on a ledge. It was so great to see them raise them and send them off but they made such a mess on the house and the floor below. Good capture shots of the little ones.
ReplyDeletei love both of these birds. but, yes, the swallows seem a bit messier than the phoebe. glad they were all successful broods!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! One spring we had sparrows nesting in out charcoal grill. Somehow the lid had not been put on straight and there was a gap where the parents would enter and exit. It had 6 eggs and the nest was so crowded while they were there. As soon as they flew away we destroyed the nest and made sure the lid was tightly in place :0)
ReplyDeleteIt can be messy, but fun to watch.I had a front light the house wrens liked and used to place a rolled towel up to discourge them since it was next to my door.
ReplyDeleteI would love to be able to see this up close and personal... and take photos. Glad you shared!
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how they are crowded in the nest. Phoebes nest on our porch as well. We like the Phoebes but the mud has red clay in it and stains the white trim. We have a rule of next building on the porch, if they build and lay eggs before we notice, we do not disturb the nest. If they are making a clay mess and we spot the building, we remove the nest and encourage nesting else where. They like to next in our 3-sided garage/carport but the neighbors cats can get to them there so they have moved on to the porch. I find it amazing how they fledge together at one time! Such a sight to see. Mommy and daddy are good housekeepers also with keeping the bird poop out of the nest and off the porch. Looks like the swallows are not as neat housekeepers....
ReplyDeleteWell, what a great bird dad you are! I always love seeing nests/baby birds. Don't always like the mess.
ReplyDeleteWow, it's like bird tenement housing! I'd love to have nesting birds, but I do feel bad for your wife having to pick up after them.
ReplyDeleteThe barn swallow twins are darling. It must have been a thrill to see them so close.
ReplyDeleteGreat story!
ReplyDeleteyou have a hatchery on your front porch..they make such a mess..it was wonderful of Mrs. T to share..not once but three times:)
ReplyDeleteWow - that's pretty neat. Baby birdies are just the cutest. Look at those faces.
ReplyDeleteMy oh my, that would make me purely GIDDY with excitement to have Phoebes... but then to have Barn Swallows move in to nest too! WEEEEEEEE! Lucky, lucky you! So glad you talked Mrs. T into letting them stay. Thanks for sharing the joy!
ReplyDeleteYou were very fortunate to be able to see 3 families being raised. I know the mess is a problem, but what a thrill to see the young ones!
ReplyDeleteOh so cute! How wonderful to watch these little sweeties grow up! Fun!
ReplyDeletexo Catherine
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They are lovely birds, albeit a bit messy. Most of the birds here on the farm raised two separate groups of hatchlings -- must have been the early spring. :)
ReplyDeleteNice stories on the phoebes and swallows. I talked to some local birders about your late brooding swallows, and they were convinced that this is a becoming more common with global warming. Maybe it'll offset other problems. I also noticed some yellow warblers still hanging around--they're usually gone by now.
ReplyDeleteYour porch sounds like an active place this summer. We had a previoius barn swallow nest taken over by flycatchers, the opposite of your situation. Sounds like a lot of fun watching the baby birds grow and fledge.
ReplyDeleteSeveral years ago, my folks had the opposite reuse - phoebes reusing an old barn swallow nest. I wonder how common it is for these two species to use each others' nests like this?
ReplyDeleteYou've obviously provided great nesting habitat! (And thanks to your wife for putting up with the mess!)
How great! So glad you were able to sell that original 'endangered species' story...hahaha
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have those birds nesting on my property.I know there is some mess involved but at least they eat insects!I enjoyed the photos too.
ReplyDeleteQuite a family on your porch! Phoebes! Wow!
ReplyDeleteBarn swallows, not so much of a wow.
Back in my old house, my nephew got some blocks of wood, cut a couple pyramids, then split them in half and put them on top of the columns to keep the nesters away. But then, we didn;t have phoebes.
I enjoyed seeing your baby birds! How is Baron?! :-)
ReplyDelete