relocate Barn Swallow nest? - questions for bird lovers

[keyser]

Sorry this is really not a photography question .. but i notice they're a lot of bird watchers / lovers in this forum.

I have a family (or two) of barn swallows building a nest inside my garage's roof. They came in from the side of the roof ventilation opening that is loose creating about 2" gap, and started a nest about a month ago.

I was going to just leave them alone and wait until they migrate south, but the droppings started to annoy me ... I want to go up relocate the nest, but I can hear there are baby birds in there.. How do I go about relocating them? Where should I put the nest and the babies? Any input is appreciated ..

Thanks,

[artyman]

Relocation isn't really possible you really need to leave the nest alone, if disturbed most likely the youngsters would die. If the droppings are causing you that much of a problem, try and fix up a catch tray of some sort a couple of feet below the nest. You would need to do it fairly quickly though so as not to disturb them.

[canonloader]

Actually, I was just reading in a Bird List I am signed up with about Bluebird Trail birders who relocate and clean and change nests whenever it's needed with little or no ill effect. Usually due to bugs on the babies that infested the nesting material. They build new nests from grass by just winding it around their fist, and form the cup. Then they take the birds out of the old nest, use some sort of shampoo on them to get rid of the bugs, pull out the old nest, replace it with the new, then put the babies back. Usually the parents are nearby watching the whole thing and just go on with feeding and care when it's over with. Amazing, but happens all the time I guess.

Not sure how the barn swallows will react to that, but we had them in our barns and us kids would always go up and check the babies out, getting right up close. The swallows never minded. So I assume you can tack up an old rag under the nest to catch the droppings until they fledge, without them freaking out. Is it a mud nest?

[hollis_f]

Originally Posted by keyser

Sorry this is really not a photography question .. but i notice they're a lot of bird watchers / lovers in this forum.

I have a family (or two) of barn swallows building a nest inside my garage's roof. They came in from the side of the roof ventilation opening that is loose creating about 2" gap, and started a nest about a month ago.

I was going to just leave them alone and wait until they migrate south, but the droppings started to annoy me ... I want to go up relocate the nest, but I can hear there are baby birds in there.. How do I go about relocating them? Where should I put the nest and the babies? Any input is appreciated ..

Thanks,

I guess you're probably in the US. But, if you're in the UK, then it is illegal for you to move the nest.

[scrumpy]

Have had this problem here. I hung an old bed sheet above the car - it worked. You could do the same with a tarpaulin sheet if you have one. Moving the nest is not recommended.

[mpontiff]

It's a violation of federal law to disturb a bird nest in the US as well (excluding a few introduced species) . I'd just go ahead and enjoy the bug control they provide and hose/sweep away the droppings. The young birds shouldn't take long to fledge - about 2 weeks from hatching.

Matt

[keyser]

Thank you so much for all the replies. After lengthy consideration and after seeing the baby birds for the first time yesterday (pic attached), I decided to just leave the nest alone. I don't have the heart to disturb them. I will deal with clean up when they migrate south. I am in Pacific NW, so it'll get cold around Sept / Oct, and they will leave.

And yes .. the parents are very attentive to the babies. They always flying around constantly chirping to assure the babies and bring them food ... What an enjoyment to watch.

[keyser]

Plus .. the babies chirping sound is very cute ...

[arelus]

I have accumulated a great many nests over the years in my barn. I leave a door open for them. However the mess has become a problem. If I were to close the door the swallows would lose acccess t those nests. I have some property and enjoy the swallows. How could i build homes for them out side of the barn?

[canonloader]

Depends on what kind of nests they are. Are they mud nests? Knock them down when they leave this fall, then next spring, keep the doors close and knock the new ones down as they are being built, before they have a chance to nest in them. They will get the idea and build somewhere else.