Advice on Swallows

Scaldy Ned

Hello all
My first time on this section but at this stage very necessary. We built our house near Dunmore East Waterford 10 years ago and as soon as the concrete shed was built a family of swallows moved in, they've come back every year but the family has expanded to the point of building nests under the soffits around the house. I feel responsible for them now and think that this is just as much their home as ours. BUT...i;m getting tired of cleaning the **** every year which becomes more and more in the shed as the family expands. In 10 years i've always allowed access to the shed for them but not any more it's just too much work cleaning after them and you can never totally remove the stains.
I'd like to seal up the shed next year but what can i do to provide homes for them when they come back ?...Will they use boxes if i make them ? what kind of boxes should i make ? If i put boxes up will other birds move in ?. I don't know what kind of swallows they are which is why i've put my location, I'm hoping someone out there has been able to deal with this before ??
Any advice appreciated
Thanks
John

oldfart

Hi John,

swallows dont nest in boxes, they make their own nest from mud each year, although sometimes they will use / rebuild an old nest - though you could look into getting a cup shaped box maybe there is such a thing?
I agree the excrement is a real nuisance to have to clean up.. and I understand how you feel somewhat responsible for them at this stage!! But if you really need to close your shed you shouldn't let this stop you.
The only thing is they will try to build along your house / outside the shed when they return, and likely in the most inconvenient place !!
I have heard of people putting up plastic bags on the wall where they show intention of building as the movement scares them away. They will always find another location to nest

mgwhelan

Scaldy Ned wrote: »

building nests under the soffits around the house.

It's more likely to be house martins building under your soffit.

Ulmus

You can buy special boards to collect the droppings. http://www.livingwithbirds.com/nest-boxes-by-species/house-martin/droppings-board-for-house-martin--swallow-nests/ Or if you're good at DIY you could make your own. It would be a shame to lose the swallows (shed)/house martins? (eaves).
You could contact Birdwatch Ireland for advice. They sell artificial swallow nests. Maybe you could partition a part of the shed roof space to allow swallows in.

swifts need our help!

those who have house martins dont want them while those who want them cant get them ...

Everyone should do their best to put up with house martins. Their numbers are going down fast.

Put up a deflector board to catch the droppings

Mark

Birdnuts

swifts need our help! wrote: »

those who have house martins dont want them while those who want them cant get them ...

Everyone should do their best to put up with house martins. Their numbers are going down fast.

Put up a deflector board to catch the droppings

Mark

I have noticed an enormous decrease in numbers since the 80's in these parts. In contrast Sand Martins seem to be on the increase

swifts need our help!

House martin numbers in my estate are way down

Mark

oldfart

Oh great - didnt know you could get those types of bird nests!!