Swallows nest in stables

[Sprogladite01]

We have a horde of swallows who nest in our third stable every year. All good, we use the stable for hay storage and we just chuck a paint/dust sheet over the hay while they are here. However, we have about 5 nests which get re-used every year, and every year at least one of those crumbles and we have a sea of naked baby floofs who need rescuing. At the moment, we use the baileys horse treats buckets, chuck some hay in there, stick the babies in and then hang those from the ceiling close to where the original nest was. So far, mum has raised the babies to adulthood each time (yay!).

HOWEVER, they always fall out at the worst possible time - today one of their nests has melted and we've done the usual. But, their nest is so damaged this time that it's non-existent (usually there's enough of a nest for them to add to the following year). Will they re-build it next year? If so, would I be better removing the remainders of the nests once everyone has fledged, so that they need to build new (and hopefully stronger) nests next year? I'm just not sure if this is a) legal and b) the right thing to do - does anyone know? I don't want to do anything that might harm them in the long run, and if need be, I can keep doing my baby checks every time I'm outside like I do now

 

[Mudfukkle]

I have this same problem too, so following with interest. Love the idea of hanging the bucket near the ceiling.
FYI, we had to destroy a couple of old nests one year so we could do some maintenance on the lights- once they'd flown of course - and they just re-built.

 

[BBP]

I wouldn’t remove all the nests but if you have one that is completely wrecked I would get rid of the remnants of that one.

 

[ElleSkywalkingintheair]

To help them make better nests when they return next year make sure you have a nice muddy area for them to use when rebuilding/renovating ?

 

[that_eventing_ connemara]

We have a horde of swallows who nest in our third stable every year. All good, we use the stable for hay storage and we just chuck a paint/dust sheet over the hay while they are here. However, we have about 5 nests which get re-used every year, and every year at least one of those crumbles and we have a sea of naked baby floofs who need rescuing. At the moment, we use the baileys horse treats buckets, chuck some hay in there, stick the babies in and then hang those from the ceiling close to where the original nest was. So far, mum has raised the babies to adulthood each time (yay!).

HOWEVER, they always fall out at the worst possible time - today one of their nests has melted and we've done the usual. But, their nest is so damaged this time that it's non-existent (usually there's enough of a nest for them to add to the following year). Will they re-build it next year? If so, would I be better removing the remainders of the nests once everyone has fledged, so that they need to build new (and hopefully stronger) nests next year? I'm just not sure if this is a) legal and b) the right thing to do - does anyone know? I don't want to do anything that might harm them in the long run, and if need be, I can keep doing my baby checks every time I'm outside like I do now

i have the same problem. they nest in my stables and have done for over 7 years! they decide to nest in the lights, but, they are close to the ceiling and unfortunately die of over heating yes, they do rebuild their nests the next time they come and i would just leave it be, because they will come back and they’ll build on it. my advice would be to just leave them and when they come back, they will sort themselves out. good luck x

 

[FourWhiteSocks]

It's so nice to hear how you have cared for the swallows, you sound lovely! The birds will repay you by keeping the flies down. We have a bee nest in one of our stables and could really do with some birds to settle in next spring to act as a (less stingy) natural alternative. Of course the bees chose the stable of the most highly strung, fidgety horse. Luckily they are out 24/7 at the moment.

You did the correct thing by hanging fallen chicks close to the original nest. Hanging baskets work well for rescue nests, just don't use anything too deep.

It is illegal to remove nests when in use. Removing nests when not in use is more of a grey area.

If the nesting spots are unsafe (such as on lighting) I would be tempted to cover those areas with mesh out of season, once the birds are long gone. Most yards provide lots of nesting opportunities for birds, so taking away unsafe ones seems reasonable. Be aware that some birds will have a second go after an unsuccessful first brood, so never remove nests early in the season.

Have fun watching them swoop about. Great for a mindful coffee break between chores.

 

[Sprogladite01]

Thanks everyone, some really useful tips in here and good to know they will likely re-use the site of the latest nest-collapse. This one is pretty severe, there were 6 babies in there and with the heat I think they basically melted the nest and kind of...exploded out of there lol. There's not really anything left to clear out there so will leave that one. It's actually the best nest site as they have a little "balcony" underneath it which the parents use a lot - a little wooden plank thats been nailed up right under the nest. The previous owners put that there, I'm assuming as they had similar baby bird adventures lol.

We usually leave them to it with the nest building but we did make muddy puddles for them this year as it's been so dry. Luckily they stay away from the lights so no issues there thankfully. Went back out earlier and mum was flying in and out and could hear the babies chirping so hopefully this batch will pull through too. They are baby batch #3 for these parents this year, and #12 so far for the group in that third stable. There are...a lot of birds flying around atm haha! Hopefully they eat all the horse flies!

 

[Parrotperson]

We had to remove the nests on our house because it needed re rendering. So we waited till all babies had gone.

This year the adults came back saw their nests were gone and didn’t rebuild them.

So I would leave everything as it is and let them repair.

We going to put up boxes for them now.

Lazy g*ts!!

 

[millikins]

We had to remove the nests on our house because it needed re rendering. So we waited till all babies had gone.

This year the adults came back saw their nests were gone and didn’t rebuild them.

So I would leave everything as it is and let them repair.

We going to put up boxes for them now.

Lazy g*ts!!

Do make sure you put the right sort of boxes up, if the nests were "on" your house they sound like house martins rather than swallows and they nest in enclosed nests rather than the cups that swallows use. I think the RSPB sell them.

 

[Parrotperson]

Do make sure you put the right sort of boxes up, if the nests were "on" your house they sound like house martins rather than swallows and they nest in enclosed nests rather than the cups that swallows use. I think the RSPB sell them.

Yes sorry meant to say house martens! Enclosed boxes have been ordered. Now to tell my oh he has to climb a ladder to put them up ?????

 

[cindars]

No swallows at all this year not even flying about.

 

[Catbird]

Once they've all fledged, you could put some artificial swallow nest boxes up where the ones which collapse are? https://www.nhbs.com/eco-swallow-nest?bkfno=241644