Subject: Nesting Cliff Swallows
Date: May 31 18:15:06 1998
From: Christine Maack - 73201.3124 at compuserve.com


Scott wrote:
> I have the priviledge of having two nesting pairs of swallows under
the
eaves of my house this year. I initially thought that they were Barn
Swallows. They are the only species that I have ever seen nest in such a
location, but was surprised to discover that both pairs are Cliff Swallows.
I guess that if Barn Swallows can nest on cliffs, then Cliff Swallows can
nest on barns (or houses).
Has anyone else seen such a thing?
<
Are they building mud nests, Scott? That's a pretty common practice
of the Cliff Swallows up here.

I just saw Cliff Swallows building nests in holes in the soffit board of
a building, a site I would have thought would only attract VG or Tree
Swallows. Don't know whether they were bringing in mud or just straw
and stuff, but they were zooming into those holes at about 40 mph.
Adaptable little buggers.

Chris Maack
Anchorage, AK
CMaack at compuserve.com