Friday, May 22, 2009

Barn Swallows and Outdoor Living

I found this cute outdoor set yesterday at Home Depot. I have been wanting a light, small outdoor table and chairs for some time and this one fits the bill. However, it is sitting


here, instead of


here, because of

this barn swallows nest, which leaves


this, i.e., babies on board.

Barn swallows are the most sociable of birds. They love to show off their flight and diving skills to us every evening. They keep the insects population down, but as you can see, they can be a tad messy. Barn swallows breed like rabbits; we had four sets of babies in this nest last year! The babies are so precious and look like little bandits when they peer over their nest at you.

The swallows come back to the same place year after year and we have had a nest in the same location for 25 years. When they try to spread out by placing nests on other parts of the house, I find them before there is not much more than a few dabs of mud and knock it down. Unfortunately, I missed one this year and there is another nest under the front porch. I messed up. I'll try to be more alert next year and not allow that second nest to be built. I could care less when a nest appears in the barn, but I'm not fond of more than one nest on my house.

I thank God every day for allowing me to live here.

Until next time, God bless.

8 comments:

Ziggy Stardust said...

God bless you , this is a very nice story.

Anne

Lynn said...

Thank you. :D

Rae said...

We have a similar problems with other nesting birds. I could never hurt them so I deal with the mess. I try to nudge them in other directions every year like you but they can really be busy getting their nests built before I see them. Good Luck.
Your new furniture is pretty.

Lynn said...

Thanks, Rae. We can easily move the little table and chairs around to escape the sun when we drink our morning coffee or afternoon ice tea.
Our other table and chairs are too big to move with ease. :D

Mary-Austin said...

Love the new chairs!! Very cute!!

Donna said...

We have been battling a pair trying to build on our kitchen porch. As soon as they put mud up, we're knocking it down. Our house is up for sale, so we can't have the messes!

Lynn said...

Donna, hope the house sells quickly. :D

storyteller said...

Great find! The chairs go well with your place. Nesting birds are always a mixed bag around here too, but I love them ;--)
Hugs and blessings,