Two weeks ago massive winds associated with a hail storm broke a window of a store-room. Since we are not using the room much, we haven’t made an effort to repair it. Last week while in the room I noticed the makings of a swallow's nest on an old sliding door in the room. I presumed it was an abandoned nest from the summer breeding season. Imagine my surprise when a swallow flew into the room through the broken window, panicked, and flew out again.
I then noticed that a pair of Greater-striped Swallows were collecting mud from a bare patch of ground the sprinkler had been on and that they were still constructing the nest. That is unusual since it is really late into summer now – autumn is announcing itself in the cool morning breeze.
These photos show the bird flying in through the broken window in a show of aerial acrobatics that would have the bravest stuntman white at the knuckles.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCQBSTHJ4dcijlU7oPCsPiMnFtyViYwk-YdAB3wWpIZYCgXiBtzrokZMudpUjHrIKwG-j5hqfrEaORMVhgVoE5ePlwyjsbrDpC5Ajnkanf0BufWzkx-YUlOX8SGeGyy2NKxgMQuaPBAo8/s1600/1+Collecting_mud.jpg) |
Collecting mud for the nest |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZWgUD49tdbMGXBwcsuthoCcg0q0ZacF5_C7hkRStxKNDVsRr76exFKFf7IBBX41LAUy7l9oloO4UBtJfH9uQuspW4A90yYoMRRyb5QRcBfk8Q0dt36jXgw68pgrmXDHc6OhQeUFiw-Tr/s1600/2+Poor+approach.jpg) |
Calling off a poor approach |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10q-PgT0zA0pQ6-S4SrIPe5KUyk9sLKriFlHSoSk6RlQMYVyONYQXrcIwIus5xML9s4k_6jSHnct5NaydcerymMu9wVzRX2-yYNqOTb5_op1MAhn45Wpj2k-b4T1qa65jjKhMW0ohACti/s1600/3+The_approach.jpg) |
Lining up for the entrance through the jagged glass |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieA5lKjxTLeGq_Zwvhc4Q648ckRXJSysNXOqYYlr4Fq-5vWr6R5Re3kJm0ojXstyrYijQF9d4KpJaqXoTYEwBB5vaXVE7X-ovYW2jw7kJv2eV5a98MN4L5NLa6JyKLNjmMCGaILoMxDdv/s1600/4+Made_it.jpg) |
A successful entry |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kNMHA5B1L0CiUGwI0gIqxXHFVqHEeKDH0ckj2PdNNOG-nrOnNumOPXWGgfFQpJGToDIe-3MYiXnXx8AMmxcIauFk8nrbby57TlwtPWQQlNpWbwK9OPOEBHxh4J_SHAoz7KC-7z134TvB/s1600/5+A+bit+more+mud+to+the+nest.jpg) |
Another beak-full of mud into the nest |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig983bqx-Q2hEuArkkFHm49-z5s6mDDz7ydeuPFMMx6Taocp87rm6KoiHxbCBSYp3mMKz5zAGaGbOu2ScZ2APDksKz25iF3LqSsvw9uSMvX0GW-mQTVAmxViwjuRYG6Rz0ufXDppCmnQPI/s1600/6+Off+for+another+beak+full.jpg) |
and off again for some more |
Very nice, did they breed sucessfully?
ReplyDeleteHi Robyn,
ReplyDeleteAt the moment I think they are incubating - they are still in attendance at the nest. Holding thumbs for them! PS sorry I don't reply to other comments, but I don't have broadband and I find this comment facility problematic. I have tried to comment on some of your lovely pics!
Alan