For each of the past three years Barn Swallows have successfully fledged
five young from the nest in front of our door.

This year there were also five nestlings, but yesterday I found the
weakest one on the porch dying.

Then this morning, I found the other four, more developed than the
first, all dead on the porch.

So I have several questions. Could the heavy rain alone have prevented
the parents from feeding the young? There was very little feeding going
on, but at least once yesterday I saw a parent at the nest. I'm also
wondering if something happened to one of the parents. Would the loss
of a parent be enough to starve all the babies? And, finally, why were
the birds on the porch? Why didn't they starve in the nest?

As far as I can tell, there was no foul play. The birds did not look
tampered with and the nest is in a very safe place.

I am heartsick about this. I know bird mortality is very high but it's
still difficult to witness it firsthand.

Linda Bainbridge
Greenbank WA