A Feather Bed for Swallows

I hadn’t been out to the north end of the property for a while. The last time I had checked on House “U” was to dump a massive mouse nest from the Gilbertson’s box. It was the third time I had evicted mice from the birdhouse. I expected to find another rodent residence.

I was pleasantly surprised to see a nest made of soft feathers and a little clutch of very new Tree Swallow chicks.

I drove off a good distance and let the parents settle back to tending their new family.

I traveled south up the eastern fence line to House “T.” A few weeks ago, in a post called Tree Swallows In Motion, I shared a couple of photos of a very recent fledging of the Tree Swallows that I had been filming in House “T.” I appears that the pair has renewed their lease for that location. Their behavior suggests that the females is currently laying her clutch, or is setting on eggs. Typically, the male hangs out atop the house during that period. I didn’t disturb them to take a look inside.