Swallows - where will they nest?

[ilovecornwall]

A couple of swallows want to build a nest in our porch. However, we can't let them do this, as we run a B&B and it's not acceptable to have that amount of mess on the front doorstep. We've put up wire barriers, but they are still trying and the breeding season is marching on. I feel so bad denying them a place to breed, but what can I do? We don't have any suitable outbuildings, but do have a thatched house with quite a wide overhang. Would they nest under that if we put up a shelf, or do they only nest inside buildings?

[posie]

...Hello and welcome to WAB.....Swallows will nest under eaves, but as I'm not an expert you'd better wait and see what the birdie guys say...in the meantime, it's nice to meet you.....Posie..

[werdnal]

Swallows usually nest inside buildings, hence their other name of Barn Swallow. They may use your porch if they are short of other sites, but they may also be house martins as they are more normally found nesting on the outside of buildings.

We have swallows in our stable and and open sided barn we park our cars in. My hubby wants to re-roof the stable, but as he's not got on with it quick enough this year, he will have to wait until the Autumn now!

If you don't want then there, they will get the message and move on, but possibly only get one brood in this year when they can raise 2 if they start early enough.


I Love Cornwall Too!

[rossy]

Originally Posted by ilovecornwall

A couple of swallows want to build a nest in our porch. However, we can't let them do this, as we run a B&B and it's not acceptable to have that amount of mess on the front doorstep. We've put up wire barriers, but they are still trying and the breeding season is marching on. I feel so bad denying them a place to breed, but what can I do? We don't have any suitable outbuildings, but do have a thatched house with quite a wide overhang. Would they nest under that if we put up a shelf, or do they only nest inside buildings?

take down the wire mesh and let them nest, they dont make that much mess, when the chicks hatch a daily sweep is all that will be needed, remember these birds have flown thousands of miles and what id pay to have them nest on my house, also i think the guests would see them as an attraction, its only for a few weeks, and welcome , rossy.

[triops]

What a privilege it would be to have a swallow's nest on your porch! Any visitors put off by the small amount of mess aren't worth having anyway!

[FUDGEY]

Well said Rossy and triops. The mes is minimal and as you also pointed out they have flow 1000s of miles. I live in a flat that was converted from a Church, my neighbour shares the same door way and Swallows started to build last week. I asked him nicely if he could leave the main door open all night (not his house door) and he said no problem to it. Yes, there will be a little mess, but it will be well worth it.

[posie]

Originally Posted by FUDGEY

Well said Rossy and triops. The mes is minimal and as you also pointed out they have flow 1000s of miles. I live in a flat that was converted from a Church, my neighbour shares the same door way and Swallows started to build last week. I asked him nicely if he could leave the main door open all night (not his house door) and he said no problem to it. Yes, there will be a little mess, but it will be well worth it.

....Swallows nest in all my stables, there are two or three nests in some stables...when the nest is central in the ceiling, and the droppings have been a bit of a problem, I have installed a small umbrella with shortened handle upside down underneath...I did not disturb the birds during nesting, but did it before they returned one year, and it did not put them off, it worked a treat........Posie..