Deadly Horse Hair

Seal Morning · #1 (**permalink**) 18-02-2011, 08:34 PM

The nesting season will soon be upon us and I am reminded of a tragic event that occurred a few years ago. Every year the swallows would return to the same beams in our barns and set about restoring last years nests. The eggs were laid and the chicks were hatched. At this point I decided to stop visiting one particular barn and leave the birds in peace to raise their new family. Everyday I had been used to seeing a lot of activity from the adult birds swooping low over our pond to gather insects. When it dawned on me the skies had been a little quiet, I ventured back into the barn to be met with a tragic sight. An adult swallow was dangling upside down about 8 inches below its nest. A long hair from a horse mane/tail ( presumably used to line the nest ) had become a deadly noose in which the delicate swallows leg had become trapped. Tragically she had died and tjhe five chicks had also perished as she was unable to free herself to get back up to them. When I cut her down I had to use a knife as the horse hair was so strong. A tragic, freak accident that I could never have predicted.

Wild-Woman · #2 (**permalink**) 18-02-2011, 08:53 PM

What a sad story and I would think that this sort of thing happens in the natural world more than we realise. Shame but with luck this years returning swallows will bring on a new brood without problems.

Seal Morning · #3 (**permalink**) 19-02-2011, 06:38 AM

It was sad and I am still annoyed with myself to this day. Had I checked on the nest sooner the outcome might have been a bit happier !

actionfinch · #4 (**permalink**) 19-02-2011, 07:49 PM

Dont blame yourself seal morning, like wild woman said , this sort of thing happens more than we think. I had anexperience with swallows darting about, when a friend of mine told me about some swallows at her stables. It was amazing to see them darting about all around you.
Lets hope this year doesnt bring any casualties.

Jonathan · #5 (**permalink**) 20-02-2011, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seal Morning

The nesting season will soon be upon us and I am reminded of a tragic event that occurred a few years ago. Every year the swallows would return to the same beams in our barns and set about restoring last years nests. The eggs were laid and the chicks were hatched. At this point I decided to stop visiting one particular barn and leave the birds in peace to raise their new family. Everyday I had been used to seeing a lot of activity from the adult birds swooping low over our pond to gather insects. When it dawned on me the skies had been a little quiet, I ventured back into the barn to be met with a tragic sight. An adult swallow was dangling upside down about 8 inches below its nest. A long hair from a horse mane/tail ( presumably used to line the nest ) had become a deadly noose in which the delicate swallows leg had become trapped. Tragically she had died and tjhe five chicks had also perished as she was unable to free herself to get back up to them. When I cut her down I had to use a knife as the horse hair was so strong. A tragic, freak accident that I could never have predicted.

Horse hair used to be used to make nooses for catching small birds. Here's a description and illustration of how to catch skylarks using horse hair:

The Field Or Skylark

Cheers
Jonathan

nightshade · #6 (**permalink**) 20-02-2011, 04:19 PM

We had a Swift build a nest out of clay pellets on our gable many years ago
(they had tried once before) they laid a single egg and it came away from the wall and dashed to pieces on the ground.
Somewhere in the Gallery is a photo of a poor little Pipistrelle its fur caught on a Burdock these things happen unfortunately.
Personally I have no compunction about helping out if I can

Ladywell · #7 (**permalink**) 20-02-2011, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightshade

We had a Swift build a nest out of clay pellets on our gable many years ago
(they had tried once before) they laid a single egg and it came away from the wall and dashed to pieces on the ground.
Somewhere in the Gallery is a photo of a poor little Pipistrelle its fur caught on a Burdock these things happen unfortunately.
Personally I have no compunction about helping out if I can

Wouldn't that have been a House Martin? - swifts don't build nests on gable ends.

Seal Morning · #8 (**permalink**) 20-02-2011, 06:02 PM

Hi Jonathan, that was a really fascinating article.....what I didn't understand was the reselling of the captured skylarks at London and other markets. Were they sold alive as captive birds/pets or did they have some sort of food value ( despite their small frame) ?