Swallows don't eat seeds, but you might see them on the ground gathering mud for nests.

If you want to get them to nest elsewhere next year, you can try installing nest boxes somewhere close by, but less intrusive. Barn Swallow nest "boxes" are really just covered ledges, which are easier to build than enclosed nest boxes. You'll probably be more likely to succeed if you put up a cluster of nest boxes, install them on the side of a building, have them facing the same direction as the nest above your door, and (after these birds have left for the year) removing the old nests. Barn Swallows like nesting in colonies, they prefer covered ledges on buildings to nests in trees, and they like to nest in the same place every year.
----- Original Message -----
From: Kukui28 at aol.com
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Sent: Monday, July 05, 2004 8:35 AM
Subject: Barn swallows roosting


Tweeters: Perhaps you can give me a little insight. I have several barn swallows roosting on the doorframe of my apartment entrance. They are quite cute and I know they won't be there for too long but the poop is a little much to look at every day. I've washed it up a couple times but now I think will just wait till they leave. So Tweeters, when do the swallows leave? Oh... and my neighbors have placed a bowl of birdseed out for them... am I wrong, don't swallows just eat bugs? There are spent seeds on the ground so some little bugger is eating. Happy birding!

Linda McKenzie,
Seattle Audubon
Kenmore, WA
kukui28 at aol.com