FOAM LAKE BIRDING
No. 189
The recent
pleasant weather would indicate that spring is finally here although not quite
barbeque weather the summer birds are definitely returning. We have seen Ring Billed Gulls, Red Tailed
Hawks, Juncos and Pine Siskins. Now, I
am waiting for the robins and swallows.
This week I
want to take a brief look at bird houses for Tree Swallows. The dimensions and materials used are the
same as for wrens except the hole has to be 1.5 inches (32 cm) in diameter. This allows the swallows to enter and exit
with ease. Unfortunately it also allows early
nesting House Sparrows to utilize the house usually pre-empting the Tree
Swallows.
One way to
discourage House Sparrows is to hang the bird house instead of attaching it
with screws or nails to a tree, pole or building. In my experience only Tree Swallows will
readily nest in a “swinging” bird house.
To dampen the amount of swing on windy days I attach a suspended weight
to the bottom of the bird house. I did
just that last year only to have a wren nest in it and rear a brood. The Tree Swallows chose another house that
was in our yard. Very unpredictable but there is nothing wrong with that.
Unlike
wrens Tree Swallows will occupy birdhouses that are set out in open spaces such
as pastures and crop lands. This also
discourages House Sparrows as they do not like to be far away from trees and
buildings. As a bonus this placement also
attracts Blue Birds. The disadvantage is
that the birds cannot be observed simply by looking out of a house window. Steel (tin) cans cannot be used here as they
will overheat and kill the young.
This week’s
photos show two of our bird houses made specifically for Tree Swallows. The lean-to is one that I built and painted
by myself. If I do say so myself it is a
very attractive and functional bird house but no bird has built a nest in it
since I put it up six years ago. Meanwhile,
the bird house that our granddaughter built as a school project last year was
occupied with Tree Swallows within a week after it was put out. Go figure!
The photo includes a picture of the aforementioned Tree Swallow sitting
on a peg just below the entrance. As
mentioned above the hanging house that I put out for the tree Swallows was
occupied by a House Wren. Again, go
figure.
Posts
