Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Barn Swallows (Hirondelles rustiques) at Blaze Farm

     We are now well into our second season of monitoring Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica)  at the above location, hitherto referred to only as "the other farm." It was unclear to us whether the owners wished to have their property identified, but we have now received permission from our gracious hosts, Mike and Beth Voll, to let the world know that it is at The Blaze Farm in Wilmot Township, Region of Waterloo where we do our work.



     The consent of cooperative landowners like Mike and Beth is essential to conducting studies into these endangered aerial insectivores, and I struggle for words to express the depth of our appreciation. These people are conservation heroes of the first order. They deserve our respect, our gratitude and our admiration.
     As we drive into the property a welcoming array of Day Lilies (Hemerocallis fulva) greets us, and the dogs run to the car, tails wagging furiously, to let us know that they are happy to see us.



     We are no less happy to see them.
     On a hot day they languish in the cool of the barn.



     Actually, it saddens me to report that the dog on the right recently passed away, after a long and happy life I might add, but the newest addition to the canine crew is a sheer bundle of cute rambunctiousness. 



     The barn is an imposing ancient structure and seems to have a grandeur all of its own. It has character and charm, totally lacking in modern structures of rectilinear uniformity, with metal sidings and huge doors designed for efficiency, but totally lacking in style. I always feel happy just entering the barn.




     If only these venerable old beams could talk - what stories could they tell?



     One of the pleasures in doing our monitoring at Blaze Farm is the presence of two horses. These splendid animals act at times like house pets needing a little affection and they nudge up to you like a friendly dog. 



     The swallows here are accustomed to humans walking in and out, dogs barking and running around, the constant comings and goings of horses, a radio playing, and consequently display no inclination to immediately fly off when we go into their space.





     It is always a joy to see these tough little birds and there is a good deal of satisfaction in knowing that we are trying to ensure their ongoing presence in the avifauna of the world, despite factors that have led to their precipitous decline in recent years. Knowledge is the key to everything. The more we understand of the life cycle of the birds the more we may be able to help them.
     All of the nests are numbered, and they are monitored three times a week.




     When the nestlings are old enough to band (around 10 days) they are carefully removed from the nest and placed in an egg carton to be carried over to the area where we set up our banding station.



     Each bird then receives its own identifying band with a unique number.



     As soon as each bird is banded it is returned to the nest.
     Soon we will also be attaching radio trackers to ten birds to follow them on their migratory journey to South America.
     A few years ago, as structures were developed to help mitigate the loss of ancestral breeding colonies when old bridges, for example, were replaced with new ones, a wooden nest cup was developed to see whether birds could be encouraged to use it as a nest substrate. The success of the Barn Swallow shelters was minimal and it was not clear whether the nest cups were shunned as a feature of the structure, or whether they were inherently unappealing to the birds. Mike and Beth allowed us to install seven cups in their barn to try to elucidate on this - and one was used.



     As best we can ascertain by comparing last year's data with this year it represents an additional nest, and four healthy young were fledged from this cup. I might add that at SpruceHaven we mounted seventeen cups on the beams there and two were used, and one has a second clutch of eggs which should be hatching shortly.
     We are already drawing some conclusions about these cups, particularly about their placement, and we will relocate some of them before the swallows return next year.
     I need to repeat that none of this work is possible without the consent of the landowners to use their property. Old barns like this one are disappearing from the agricultural landscape and we are very fortunate to have the opportunity to track the progress of the birds in a colony that has no doubt been in existence for as long as the barn itself.
     In closing, once again to Mike and Beth - THANK YOU. We appreciate it, the ornithological community appreciates it, conservation scientists appreciate it - and, best of all, were the swallows able to express their appreciation they would do so also!
David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

53 comments:

  1. I'll second that. Mike and Beth are indeed heroes. There are too many people over here with similar properties who go out of their way to make Swallows unwelcome, not thinking or caring that they are one of many. The end result is a drop in the Swallow population. Sad that they do not realise the good Swallows do in keeping down the insect population.

    I note that the farm has both horses and dogs in attendance, essential good sources of nesting material for Swallows, horse hair and dog hair, not to mention the insect food that such animals attract.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Återigen en underbar historia David! Jag uppskattar så mycket ditt sätt att skriva och den ovillkorliga kärlek du har till naturen och dess invånare. Alla ni som ägnar så mycket tid för att göra något gott för de som saknar röster och inget kräver, ni är de verkliga hjältarna i vår turbulenta värld och jag önskar dig och dina kamrater allt gott.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought I was too old to blush, Gunilla.......but obviously not! Thank you!!

      Delete
  3. What a wonderful job they are doing for the swallows, David! The cups looks very smart.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I wish swallows would nest here, they are all over but I never see a nest :-( Great post, but my favourite had to be the barn that is a fabulous old building. So different to our stone ones here. As a matter of note we do the final signing on the barn opposite us tomorrow, so by Wednesday evening the barn should be well and truly ours. Have a good week Diane

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hello, thanks to all who help conserve the swallows and wildlife. The landowners are great to make their property available. What a great barn. I love the adorable dogs and the newest addition. The horses are beautiful. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your day!

    ReplyDelete
  6. thanks david, these programs that you are involved in are very interesting. i love my birds but don't think about this aspect of bird life often enough!!! many thanks to mike and beth!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hari OM
    David, once again you 'brought us with you' in your setting of scene and atmosphere as well as actions taken. Hoorah for the 'nature heroes'!!! YAM xx

    ReplyDelete
  8. Precioso trabajo el realizado y preciosas imagines amigo David. Ese antiguo granero es una maravilla así como sus habitantes sus golondrinas, esos caballos y esos perros, que pena que falleciera uno de ellos, precioso el pequeño cachorro. Es fascinante la labor realizada y lo poco reconocida que muchas veces está. Los propietarios de esa finca deben ser buenas personas y amantes de la naturaleza. Gracias por compartir vuestro admirable trabajo, mis más sinceras felicitaciones.
    Un abrazo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much for these gracious comments. They are indeed fine people.

      Delete
  9. It makes sense that barn swallows are declining with the loss of barns over the last few decades. When I was growing up there was no shortage of swallow nests in the barns and outbuildings. Thanks for taking on the job of monitoring the nests and counting and banding the nestlings. That's a clever carrier you have devised there.

    ReplyDelete
  10. An interesting and important project - thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Huge thanks. Conservationists ARE my heroes. Miles and miles (and miles) ahead of the sporting stars/celebrities that media suggests should be. And hooray for those who conserve barns too. Form AND function.

    ReplyDelete
  12. It's good that there are people who want to save swallows and people who help them in this by making an old barn available, where the birds are, beautiful dogs and it's a pity that one is gone. Regards.

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a great barn....hope it continues to be a welcome home for these swallows.

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a wonderful gift Mike and Beth are providing for the birds and all the volunteers who are helping in this fantastic project. Best luck to everyone involved as you go forward.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Mike - what a lovely post of hope and of love for conservation, nature, flora and fauna - let alone those extras - the dogs, and horses ... and then of course Beth and Mike - wonderful to appreciate them.

    It'll be fascinating to follow along and see what happens to all your taggings, etc ... good luck to the little ones as they fly south to over-winter in warmer climes ...

    Lovely post - thank you - cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the comment, Hilary, but my name is David.

      Delete
  16. I think the swallows are lucky to have such a lovely home -- and they're pretty birds, too. Love the whole environment, that sweet new dog, and especially what you are doing. That is truly good work and deserves praise. High praise.

    Thanks for your visit to the Gypsy and interesting comment. We visited Quebec City last year and I found it to be the most enchanting place. I would return in a heartbeat!

    ReplyDelete
  17. It's a great barn - glad the Barn Swallows appreciate it, too !

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a joy to visit your blog today and admire the beautiful old barn and learn a little about nests and tagging. A fantastic project.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi David. Please add my name to the list of people that admire the thoughtfulness and kindness of Mike and Beth, and wish to thank them for all they do.

    I find your account of the work being done on this site for the Swallows to be absolutely fascinating. And what a fabulous barn that is!

    With love to you and Miriam - - - Richard

    ReplyDelete
  20. What an interesting post and so fascinating to learn about the cup nests - I have never heard of artificial nest sites being used for swallows before. It is good to read of the research you are undertaking.

    ReplyDelete
  21. It's all a bit of trial and error with these things isn't it but even a couple of successes makes it worth it!

    ReplyDelete
  22. wonderful post. Nowadays I rarely come close to swallows. They are nto as common as tey used to be. Love your post.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Amigo David, siempre se me olvida comentarte que soy seguidor de un blog que igual te interesa echar una mirada, trata de aves y animales salvajes de España. En la parte derecha de los blogs que sigo se llama "Mi blog" y el autor se llama Victor, tiene publicaciones sumamente interesantes.
    Un abrazo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for this information. I will check it ouT for sure.

      Delete
  24. Hi David,
    Interesting post. It's nice to read about your work for the swallows. It must be really satisfying to do this.

    Best regards, Corrie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is, Corrie, and meeting great people like Mike and Beth is a bonus. In addition we are able to educate many people about birds and the need to preserve their habitat.

      Delete
  25. I am very happy that you are working to protect this beautiful swallow, I did not imagine that it was in danger in Canada, because these latitudes are increasingly abundant, even a population stopped breeding in the northern hemisphere, it does in almost the entire pampean region, two decades ago only in a sector near the sea in the southeast of the region, near Mar del Plata. Impressive that old granary, of such style here there are no constructions; the swallows nest under bridges and eaves, also in sewers

    ReplyDelete
  26. How nice that you got permission to observe the barn swallow and count David.
    Nice to see how that works.
    Greetings Tinie

    ReplyDelete
  27. This barn has a little bit of everything wonderful. Love watching barn swallows, feeding carrots and apples to horses, and there is nothing better than interacting with dogs, especially puppies.

    ReplyDelete
  28. what an important and satisfying project to be involved in. That mirror is such a good idea. Now why didn't I think of that before....?

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hi David,
    This quite an interesting story about the way people are doing efforts to preserve the barn swallows. The help of the farmers is very important as you described. It would be a pity to see these swallows disappearing caused by the lack of suitable nesting opportunities.
    Greetings, Kees

    ReplyDelete
  30. What an interesting post - I learned a lot. I especially liked the mirror you use to be able to see into the nest … and kudos to these landowners for their support - from the dogs to the horses to themselves, they seem to have an ideal family and location.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Estupenda entrada... un saludo desde Murcia.. feliz verano...

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hi David,
    It was beautiful to reed your impressing report and to see your wonderful photos!
    What a great location. Full of happiness and well-being! An impressive report on nature lovers!They are committed to nature conservation! Phenomenal!
    Thanks for sharing
    Have a nice weekend,
    Maria

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hello David,
    Wonderful series of photos.
    It is good that there are people who want to save swallows, and that people help them in this by making an old shed available.
    Beautiful dogs and it is a pity that there is a way.
    Best regards, Irma

    ReplyDelete
  34. Swallows and barns sort of go together. One is not quite the same without the other. I remember the first time I saw a swallow close up and was amazed by its colours. I had previously thought they were black and white.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Such a lovely post, it is so good to know that there are people who want to save/help swallows and how nice to make this old barn available.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  36. Very nice post - I think out swallows will Welcome you when you arrive.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

    ReplyDelete
  37. An extraordinary work of preservation and information.
    Wonderful photos.
    Greetings
    Maria
    Divagar Sobre Tudo um Pouco

    ReplyDelete
  38. Beautiful images David, the Swallows are tremendous.

    ReplyDelete
  39. That was a lovely farm tour -- what wonderful people the owners are -- thanks to them and to you and your group for doing what you do.


    ReplyDelete
  40. Great post David,it's nice to see Swallows are cared for,and helped to grow in number.
    John.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hi David,
    What a wonderful old barn with its Swallows and other friendly souls.
    The nest cups seem a good idea and obviously work very well. like the idea of transporting the young in the egg trays.
    Interesting post,
    All the best, John

    ReplyDelete
  42. Precioso trabajo David, me encantan las Golondrinas. Abrazos.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hello David,
    the barn swallows are also really of those beautiful birds.
    It is geod that you count, ring and follow them.
    Beautiful nesting and beautiful places.

    I once again enjoyed this beautiful doto.
    Kind regards, Helma

    ReplyDelete
  44. Yet another wonderful blog post David. With equally wonderful photos by Miriam. I am always heartened to read about the wonderful people out there who do amazing things in the world with regards to wildlife.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Cute puppy and cute little swallows. We had a little camera in the European pied flycatcher's nestbox (roof), it was amazing to see how the little ones grew up.

    ReplyDelete

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that the land on which we are situated are the lands traditionally used by the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Neutral People. We also acknowledge the enduring presence and deep traditional knowledge, laws, and philosophies of the Indigenous Peoples with whom we share this land today. We are all treaty people with a responsibility to honour all our relations.

Followers