Today, the first clutch of swallows for 2012 flew. Usually, we get two clutches a summer. Last year, the swallow pair built their nest on a horseshoe directly above the door we use to go in and out of the house 20 times a day, and where Ranger lays. This year they came back to the same nest, and I don't know how, they managed to raise 6 fledglings in that tiny pocket. None fell or were pushed out, like last year.
Here are some peeking out, just last night. We could not tell how many were in the nest.
As they got tired, they landed everywhere they could find that was close to the nest.
Their flights were so joyous it was a pleasure to watch them. They swooped and swirled around us on the deck.
It turned out there were six babies in this clutch, all healthy and happy.
Second year they've used the lights to roost on!
Welcome, little Swallows!
Lucky you, enjoying them 2 years in a row.
ReplyDeletePretty cute little birds :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend.
I love swallows. They are happy birds, aren't they? You can tell they love to fly, you just can.
ReplyDeleteI think we've got a nest here, attached to the peak of our roof. I have to check and see, or my husband will think it's yellow jackets and knock it down. That would be a sin.
We love our swallows too! This year there are two nests on the front porch, one on the back. We have had as many as 3 and 3. The skies were full of them that year. I think that the babies might come back the next year to nest sometimes. They do poop a lot, but we just hose it off and go on. It's a small price to pay for a daily sky dancing show!
ReplyDeleteOur barn swallows didn't nest in the barn this year.
ReplyDeleteHow nice to have them. I've been watching a lot of barn swallows in my barn. We have some about ready to leave the nest also.
ReplyDeleteWe've watched the parents work themselves ragged feeding babies before.
ReplyDelete