Hi tweeters,

I have a question for the experts about nesting Violet-green swallow habits.

This year, a nesting pair has taken to a box that I've setup on my balcony.
So far, the pair have built a nest and laid 6 eggs. One thing I have
noticed is that the parents don't stay on the nest through the day (and I'm
not sure of this for night-time as well). I've kept an eye on them since
the egg laying, noting any activity at the box. All and all, activity has
dropped off to be fairly quiet for long periods (2-4 hours). After a few
days, I was beginning to think that the eggs may have been abandoned but
today I candled the eggs and low and behold, there was little beating
hearts inside. The parents did come back in my brief period of disturbing
the nest box however, they were not overly alarmed.

So, my question: Now that I've come in contact with the nest and the eggs,
Have I jeopardized them because of the disturbance?

Or put another way, how much human contact/stress will VGSWs tolerate. Are
they susceptible to disturbance and will abandon a nest or are they known
to be tolerant if I bothered once and a while.

What about in general. Are birds susceptible to nest disturbance?
Comments?

Cheers,
K.


Kevin Slagboom, Web Manager -- Tel: 1-250-658-0940
Birding in British Columbia
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