Chirping From the Swallow Box
The Tree Swallow activity level increased today, and both mates became aggressive whenever we came near the nesting box. The house painter working from the roof reported being dive bombed by swallows, and we had swallows flying at high speed straight toward our faces only to divert inches before hitting….. Both mates were taking turns making quick visits to find food. One would land and the other would leave. The bird at the nest stood on the edge of the entry hole from the outside and faced inward. This was a distinct change in behavior and a signal that the eggs might be hatching.
We kept listening carefully, but no sound came from inside the box. Several hours later I returned to the nesting box and stood quietly beneath the birch tree for awhile. One bird flew away and the other returned to poke its head inside and suddenly the sound of a tiny, tiny chorus of high pitched chirps erupted. I smiled as I remembered our worries and fears over the last month. Obviously the Owl Decoy didn’t discourage the swallows from nesting and the Magpie didn’t get the eggs as we once thought. We have had the privilege to witness another small miracle of nature.
Soon the babies will leave the nest and begin their migration south. I’m not sure how long they will stay in this part of Alaska. And, next year we will have several more nesting boxes scattered around our woods waiting for the return of the Tree Swallows.
Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist
