Barn Swallow Calls
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Barn swallows return every year to the Island. I have a pair that builds the nest inside the goat barn over the door. Messy. Yes! I close the barn door at night because of predators. That pair knows when to come in or get locked out until morning. Some evenings they are perched on the rain gutter then swoop in as I approach to close the door. They have had hatchlings every year. I love their color and the fact they love to eat mosquitos.
I grew up with an old barn that was so "well ventilated" that it was impossible to keep the barn swallows out. There were so many of them that everything in the barn was always covered with their droppings, and the sound of their chirping was a constant cacophony that rose to a wild crescendo whenever we entered. I wish I could say I enjoyed them, but we looked forward to their departure in the fall. They stopped coming back at about the same time a flock of pigeons moved in, which was even messier!
I must say I love these little birds! In fact so much when we had our house repainted, I would not let them knock the nests down (the birds got a new paint job too!). I love to watch them fly and hear their distinctive calls. I have 2 nests on each side of my porch and one in my basement. So this 2021 year I had 6 batches of chicks to admire! I can’t wait for them to return next year.
P.S. Sometimes they are even house guests!
Gustine, California
Hello,
we live in Mount St Patrick in Dacre, Ontario and we are lucky enough to have barn swallows they have had two sets of babies this summer both in a high tree and in our shed. They return to the same nest every year:)