32/ NOVEMBER 2019 THE RIDER How to be a Good Barn Swallow Host Barn Swallows are called


swallows because they are aer- ial insectivores, swallowing their prey on the wing. They are found on every continent except Antarctica. They com- monly choose nest sites near humans and livestock instead of natural sites. It is believed that before barns were com- mon in North America barn swallows nested on cliffs, es- pecially under overhangs, and they may have nested in Native lodges before Europeans set- tled here. Over the past several decades the population has been in decline since old barns have become redundant and dilapidated. According to the BOOK


OF BRITISH BIRDS pub- lished in 1969 by Reader’s Di- gest, swallows were already declining in population In Eng- land. The authors attribute the


barns. Barn swallows need a wide opening to fly in and out of, free of trees and branches, open 24 hours a day during the nesting season. They also require mud to build nests. Mud made by cattle and horses around their water source is ideal. So are the insects they attract. According to Bird


decline to better farm hygiene and fewer insects. In North America re-


searchers have discovered that the old barns with the notches from the pioneer’s axes pro- vided rough surfaces to build nests on. New barns with metal siding metal roofs and smooth ceilings do not provide ideal


nesting sites, but they will nest in them. The swallows need a rough vertical surface close to a ceiling (about 6 inches down) to place a nest made of mud pellets, hair and straw, and do not nest on long shelves that rats and other predators can walk on. This is why they pre- fer the bottom storey of old


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Studies Canada, “Barn Swallows nest almost ex- clusively on human-made structures such as barns, sheds, bridges, and cul-


verts. They are the most widely- distributed of all swallows, however, the Canadian popula- tion has declined by 80% since 1970. Bird Studies Canada ini- tiated a Barn Swallow monitor- ing and stewardship project in Ontario in 2012.” “Bird Studies Canada has


also looked at Barn Swallows’ preferred nesting structure types, quantified their use of various structures, and not sur- prisingly, barns came out on top. All of this information is being used to determine the breeding habitat characteristics that are most important for Barn Swallows.” In 1904 Jack Miner tried to


entice Canada Geese to a pond on his farm so the population could grow. His efforts were re- warded and the Canada Goose is a very common bird in the world today. Wild Goose Jack 1969 ISBN 0-7701-0241-7 More recently, in the early


1950’s, the Eastern Bluebird population was declining and has made a complete comeback. According to the Ontario East-


ern Bluebird Society website, “Well managed predator proof nest box trails now provide a means for successful rebounds.” To me this proves that


human intervention can, and will, bring a species back from the brink of extinction. Al- though the Barn Swallow popu- lation is still secure this is a good time to begin to bring the population back to its former numbers. Do you have an open shed


or barn for your horses? Can you leave something open, and provide a nail or rough surface for a Barn Swallow to fasten a


nest to? Barn Swallows will nest on a light fixture, wire or even a nail if it is the correct dis- tance from an open window or door, and the ceiling. Overflow- ing your water troughs also con- ditions the horses’ feet and provides mud for the swallows. How can you help? Look


up, How can you help? Search for Calling all Barn Swallow NestWatchers-Bird


Studies


Canada-Find out how to be a Good Barn Swallow Host (PDF).


Story and art by Linda Glass Ward


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