Hi,
Spring seems to bringing problems other than more abundant weeds than usual and faster plant growth this year. First the suprise showy orchis I have to figure out how to replant and now a pair of barn swallow have nested on the ground under the lavender.
I thought these birds always made their nests with mud in barns. Well weeding today in a flower bed I found a small nest under the lavender with a one small white red speckled egg in it. I wouldn't have recognized the egg or the nest had I not seen the barn swallow. She may not be done laying eggs.
Now that I've inadvertantly pulled some weeds hiding her nest should I transplant some chrysanthemums or something to help hide it again and protect it? What if she doesn't come back? Should I try to incubate the egg if she doesn't come back? Is it difficult? (I know barn swallows are numerous and some people say no big loss but I'll feel guilty if I don't try and help.)
Finally, just out of curiosity, has anyone heard of barn swallows making a nest on the ground? Is that unusual? There were a pair here (probably the same pair as this year) last year that was investigating whether to make a nest in the blue bird house (between blue bird broods no less). There is a perfectly nice barn just down the road, it is even red; I don't know why they don't use it.
Thanks very much.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barn_Swallow
Hi again everyone,
There is a web site explaining how to do this but I just let it alone.
This message was edited Apr 22, 2011 10:32 PM
