— from Howie Rosenfeld —
Over the last few years, I’ve noticed a steady decline in our swallow population. Then I heard a Radio CBC program that verified my observation. It said Tree Swallows have declined dramatically and many have lost 10% of body mass. An article online said Barn Swallows have declined 75% in British Columbia! These birds are not only delightful to observe but are amongst the most efficient flying insect eaters.
These are spring and summer residents. Tree Swallows nest in natural cavities and bird houses (no perch please). Barn Swallows make mud nests typically under eaves and ledges of porches and other parts of houses.
Home owners often don’t like the mess Barn Swallows can make and may therefore destroy their nests. This is unfortunate. Now more than ever we need to tolerate that mess, let them be and protect them.
I am happy to say the barn swallows are back in full force on our farm. They do nest in some curious nooks and crannies but they are no messier than the horses/dogs/cats so they are always welcome here.
Thanks for the heads-up! We need reminders every now and then, to remind us not to mess around with Mother Nature. I am wondering what the causes of the decline are. I will research this, and get back to y’all when I submit my next “Nature’s Table” column.
The response to the first column about sharing our small noticings was gratifying, so now that I am back from the East, after watching Cardinals and Baltimore Orioles..the birds, not the teams…I am eager to hear what Orcas casual birders are seeing at their feeders.