Swallow nest

[mousiemouth]

Hi, I'm a first timer on the forum and am looking for some advice about what happened today. A pair of swallows had made a nest for the first time above my porch light - they had made the nest and eggs had been laid. This morning one of the swallows was lying dead beneath the nest at my front door. It wasn't there yesterday evening so must have happened overnight. I am so upset as I was thrilled to have my 'own' swallows and was looking forward to the chicks hatching. The bird looked to have no 'damage' to it - no predator seemed to have caused its death, so I have no idea why it died. I don't know if it was the male or female but the other one of the pair has been nowhere to be seen today. I read that both birds incubate the eggs so hoped that whichever one was left would see the job through but that doesn't seem to be happening. I used a camera tonight to photo inside the nest - it seems to have 3 eggs inside. Does anyone have any ideas as to what might have happened and whether if one half of the pair dies does the other bird desert the nest?

[CountyRec]

I am afarid thats it for the brood. although both birds incubate, its mainly down to the female. You can sex the corpse by blowing the feathers on its belly, if the skin that appears, is devoid of feathers, and the lower bit looks wrinkly and red, thats a brood patch and it was a female. Either way, one bird will not try and incubate a brood without a mate. What might happen is the survivor may go and find a mate, and come back to the nest and re-lay. (they will clear out the dead eggs) . However I would check that the bird had not flown into any glass around your porch which might explain its demise. Other than that, birds do just die unfortunately.
If you dont have any more luck this year, clean out the nest come September and hope you get a returning bird next year, even better, put up an artifical swallow box in a nearby more suitable location.
Good luck ! They are simply stunning birds to have around.

[ron1863]

Hi mousiemouth and a warm welcome to WAB. Sorry to hear about your Swallow but hopefully the surviving bird can find a mate and use the nest either this year or perhaps next.
Is your porch light directly below the nest and do you leave the light on, as they can generate a lot of heat

[mousiemouth]

Thanks for the welcome.
Since the birds started building the nest I've never had the porch light on so they haven't been 'fried' - so to speak.
Such a shame- I'm so disappointed its ended like this.

[ron1863]

Keep your fingers crossed, as the remaining bird could use the nest again.

[mousiemouth]

thank you for replying- I kneww there would be someone knowledgeable about these things out there!

[ron1863]

No problem, you usually always get replies to wildlife queries on WAB no matter how simple or complicated.

[bobbarber]

Originally Posted by mousiemouth

Hi, I'm a first timer on the forum and am looking for some advice about what happened today. A pair of swallows had made a nest for the first time above my porch light - they had made the nest and eggs had been laid. This morning one of the swallows was lying dead beneath the nest at my front door.1111

Hello mousiemouth, a very sad story. I think the probable cause of death was crashing into a widow when they see the sky reflected in them and try to fly through. Most sick birds tend to find somewhere secluded to die like the bottom of hedges and similar places. That`s why we seldom find them considering the millions that die each year. Welcome to the forum...Bob

[Pam_M]

Hi Mousiemouth and welcome to WAB. It is a sad story indeed. I hope you get some consolation knowing that the members on WAB share your sorrow. An update would be good if you have happier news on the remaining Swallow.

[mousiemouth]

The partner came back for a short while this morning, sat on the railings beside the porch but didn't go near the nest (I don't think). Stayed about 10 minutes and then went off.....didn't even say goodbye!
Thanks to all those that took the time to offer comments and condolences!