Subject: VGSW Nesting -- Are the tolerant to contact?(fwd)
Date: Jun 2 10:08:58 1998
From: Peggi.Rodgers at BrooksCole.com - Peggi.Rodgers at BrooksCole.com




Kevin & Tweets,
The answer to your question is no, VGSW's will not abandon the nest because
you've handled the eggs. This doesn't mean you should do it often, because
activity around the nest may bother them. In fact, I wouldn't encourage
you to do it at all. If they feel the area is too "busy", they won't nest
there again.
However, with the exception of vultures, most birds have very little sense
of smell and won't know the difference if you've handled the eggs or
chicks. It's an old myth that if you replace a chick in the nest the
parents will smell your touch and abandon the baby. It really doesn't
happen.
Swallows do tend to leave the nest for what seems long periods of time. If
the weather is bad sometimes they'll be gone for an entire day but they
always return at night.
Hope this answers your questions.
Peggi
Peggi Rodgers
woodduck at mbay.net
Pacific Grove, CA (near Monterey)