Barn Swallow Update

I know that we have a few birders on this site. This will not be interesting to those who are thinking of fried barn swallow.

For the second year in a row, I note fewer returning barn swallows to our farm in Millbury, Massachusetts. They must have had a bad winter (or endless summer) where ever they went, or a tough return flight.

Once they are here, they lead a good life. I provide safe little nesting ledges high up in the rafters of the barn, and the livestock attract a good supply of flying bugs. They always raise a good brood, (sometimes two) and the population recovers quickly. I am told that a lot of the returning birds were born on my farm, and that they show the way here to the young born down south. Not being a birder myself, I don't know where "my" birds go in the winter, but I am always glad for their return.
Todd

We have barn swallows that nest on our front porch every year. They make a terrible mess, but we truly enjoy watching them from our dining room window. We have learned if we don't tear the nest down, the mud splatters are kept to a minimum since they recycle the old nest. We even had the painters avoid the nesting area and paint around it. Had a chicken snake attack the nest several years back. Had a house full of ladies for a meeting & everyone was going wild. When we noticed the snake it already had two lumps which meant he had already dined on two of our bird.

We also have chimney sweeps & enjoy listening to them flutter. It's fun to be outside & watch them circle & dive into the chimney around sunset.

The barnswallows love my boat dock and I have had to run them off several times due to the mess they make.

They are great flyers and they would make the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds proud as they can do everything the flying guys do except they can do it better and they do it to live. I see the constantly flying around the Tennessee River.

They are the most colorful of the swallows

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Good timing for another Bird Thread. Here are a pair we have had hanging around the feeders..not necessairily together, they just happened to be in the same little tree when I shot this photo this evening.

I believe the blue one is an Indigo Bunting...but I am not positive. The other is a mystery to us. The beak is the same as a Cardinal or other seed eater.


Here is a second view of the Brown Bird. Sorry about the sharpness or lack of it...We were shooting thru the living room window to prevent the movement from disturbing the birds about 30 feet out in the yard fromt he window.

quote:

Originally posted by lostnthemail

We also have chimney sweeps & enjoy listening to them flutter. It's fun to be outside & watch them circle & dive into the chimney around sunset.

I've had chimney sweeps here since the mid 1980s. One will sometimes fly into the house. Yep, they're fun to watch and keep the bugs down.

I wish I could attract some swallows, as they like bugs, and we got bugs! We have managed to attract many of the swallows night-time counterparts...brown bats. It is amazing how their role in nature and even their flying style is so similar.

Al...not sure what your mystery bird might be...it seems to have same shape and size as bunting...could it be a female bunting?

http://www.bbbo.org/photos/sparrows/INBU-F-ASY_eiseman_sp04.jpg

Here is one from my backyard...



any guesses? Not too rare, but usually well hidden.

I emailed my question to several of my roadfood friends..The result leaned towards a pair of Blue Grosbeaks. With that advice I was able to pin down which area to look in my bird books and Blue Grosbeaks Seem to be the answer. Pauls mention of the Blue Beak on the Grosbeak was the factor in dropping thoughts of the Indigo Bunting...which we have here often.

Tony, it could be a female indigo bunting. Your pic shows a little whiter breast but the beak, eyes and tail match.

How did you get it to sit on your hand?

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Tony, that looks like an American Bittern. It's in the heron family and is a marsh bird. I see them here in the River inlets.

quote:

Originally posted by kland01s

Tony, that looks like an American Bittern. It's in the heron family and is a marsh bird. I see them here in the River inlets.

That is what I thought it was too. Never saw one before...especially not in my own yard!

As for the bunting picture...that is from the net Paul...the only birds I have gotten to actually sit on my hand are some friendly chickadees!

The marsh bird is probably a bittern. Resembles a black crown night heron. I have them in a tree close to my deck and dock every day. As a matter of fact, I saw one just a few minutes ago. Sometimes I have 5-10 in a tree watching the water for lunch many times a week.

Look at the coloring on the bill and feather coloring.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

This is a fun thread. Thanks to all for the contributions. I'll be back here when we spot another mystery flyer.