- Mar 21 6:44 pm
#24182
Tree/Violet Green Swallow Nest Boxes
Tree Swallows' natural nesting habitat was originally found around ponds and wetland margins where standing dead trees were excavated by woodpeckers. Violet-green swallows occupy similar habitat however they tend to prefer the higher available nesting cavities and range farther up a habitat including up hills and cliffs near a wetland.
With the loss of natural nesting cavities due to land clearing and urban development, decreases in dead tree stands (sometimes removed for public safety), competition and or other factors, providing nest boxes can help with breeding success and the continuation of the swallow populations in your area.
As nesting season approaches, it is time to clean out and service existing nest boxes or build new boxes. Here are some resources to help you provide and safe and successful swallow nesting box:
Nest box plans:
http://www.shawcreekbirdsupply.com/plan ... wallow.htm
http://www.all-birds.com/bird-house-dimensions.htm
http://www.sha4.net/on-swallows.htm
http://www.alaskaoutdoorjournal.com/Eco ... allow.html
http://www.avianweb.com/treeswallownestingbox.html
Exact hole size is critical. Check it before putting the box up.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joOET1fQjxM[/youtube]
Additional resources:
http://members.shaw.ca/swallows/Holes.htm
Want success? Make it difficult for the English House Sparrows
In a nutshell, house sparrows are a real problem when it comes to competition and nest box success for swallows. This cannot be overstated! Without due care and attention to what is required to keep house sparrows at bay, you will likely find the crushed swallow eggs on the ground and/or an adult swallow parent pecked to death.
http://www.sialis.org/hospattacks.htm (warning - raw photos of attack outcomes)
So what to do:
The best passive means of controlling house sparrows is to setup the box so that a house sparrow cannot perch on top of it or enter it. Hole size is critical. Placement of the box in a location that is difficult for house sparrows to reach (like right under house roof) will limit a house sparrows ability to mount a successful attack.
Read more on managing house sparrows:
http://www.sialis.org/hosp.htm
Good luck with your swallow nest box projects and successful swallowing nesting!
Further tips, comments and suggestions appreciated.
Tree Swallows' natural nesting habitat was originally found around ponds and wetland margins where standing dead trees were excavated by woodpeckers. Violet-green swallows occupy similar habitat however they tend to prefer the higher available nesting cavities and range farther up a habitat including up hills and cliffs near a wetland.
With the loss of natural nesting cavities due to land clearing and urban development, decreases in dead tree stands (sometimes removed for public safety), competition and or other factors, providing nest boxes can help with breeding success and the continuation of the swallow populations in your area.
As nesting season approaches, it is time to clean out and service existing nest boxes or build new boxes. Here are some resources to help you provide and safe and successful swallow nesting box:
Nest box plans:
http://www.shawcreekbirdsupply.com/plan ... wallow.htm
http://www.all-birds.com/bird-house-dimensions.htm
http://www.sha4.net/on-swallows.htm
http://www.alaskaoutdoorjournal.com/Eco ... allow.html
http://www.avianweb.com/treeswallownestingbox.html
Exact hole size is critical. Check it before putting the box up.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joOET1fQjxM[/youtube]
Additional resources:
http://members.shaw.ca/swallows/Holes.htm
Want success? Make it difficult for the English House Sparrows
In a nutshell, house sparrows are a real problem when it comes to competition and nest box success for swallows. This cannot be overstated! Without due care and attention to what is required to keep house sparrows at bay, you will likely find the crushed swallow eggs on the ground and/or an adult swallow parent pecked to death.
http://www.sialis.org/hospattacks.htm (warning - raw photos of attack outcomes)
So what to do:
The best passive means of controlling house sparrows is to setup the box so that a house sparrow cannot perch on top of it or enter it. Hole size is critical. Placement of the box in a location that is difficult for house sparrows to reach (like right under house roof) will limit a house sparrows ability to mount a successful attack.
Read more on managing house sparrows:
http://www.sialis.org/hosp.htm
Good luck with your swallow nest box projects and successful swallowing nesting!
Further tips, comments and suggestions appreciated.
Kevin Slagboom
Victoria, BC
Victoria, BC