Chris Maack writes:

>Teresa Michelsen asked swallow box recommendations, so I will pass along the
>limited amount I know. We have had VG swallows in one of our 2 nestboxes for the
>last 3 years, and although the boxes are practically identical, they spurn the
>other, so right away there's a mystery. ... We had a little dowel perch
>under the hole at first but noticed the swallow always landed gripping the edge
>of the hole and bracing itself with its tail feathers against the side of the
>box below the hole, so actually the little perch was just jabbing the bird at
>about vent level. The box faces SW and is fairly exposed. I think a clear line
>of approach is important to them. They enter the box at about 20 mph, it looks
>like.
>
>Have compared notes with others about their swallow nestboxes and there is no
>consensus on which direction they should face. Someone just told me though that
>tree and violet-green swallows do not like to nest close to other swallows;
>they're not colonial and a nearby neighbor makes them nervous. I don't know how
>close is too close.

Swallows do not need a peg and it will make the box more attractive to
house sparrows and house finches, who compete with the swallows for the
box. I agree that a clear approach to the box seem to be important, as
the birds will come in fast and lower than the box then use the upward
glide to slow their flight. I have two similar boxes on two corners on
the front of my house separated by about 30' and only one has ever been
used by swallows. The neighbors across the street also have a box that is
used by another pair of VG swallows. The distance between these two
occupied boxes is about 120'. The swallows fly together a lot and seem to
like each others company but maybe 30' is too close for nests.

Ed Schulz
Everett, WA
eschulz at eldec.com