36/ AUGUST 2023 THE RIDER Cliff Swallow Experiment 2023


By Linda Glass-Ward Sometimes mistaken


for Barn Swallows, Cliff Swallows only nest in North America and winter in South America. They do not exist on other continents. I have heard from farmers in Eastern Ontario that Cliff Swallows nested under


Cliff Swallow nest, and a picture from Nature Canada information. Photo by Cathy Emms


eaves on their barns many years ago. Also, I have seen some Facebook pictures of Cliff Swallows nesting on the outside of a wooden barn in the U.S. A. These swallows have been losing habitat when the old barns are clad with steel siding. The steel is too smooth for them to fasten their nests to. The only Cliff Swal-


HAY AND MORE


lows I have seen on barns, nest on the inside. Experts say that Cliff Swallows take over Barn Swallow nests and finish off the tops with their little dome shape and tunnel. Cliff Swallows are also known to compete with Barn Swallows for their nests. Because they are a na- tive species they are pro- tected along with Barn Swallows. This behaviour must not be interfered with. Cathy Ems a veterinarian from Barrie Ontario has sent me a photo of her Cliff Swallow nest inside her horse barn. It shows evi- dence that this pair of Cliff


Under The Eaves of Our Arena.


Swallows took over an old Barn Swallow nest and fin- ished the top off, adding their little tunnel (hole). Concrete bridges over


rivers have been providing habitat for Cliff Swallows for more than a century. Among the Cliff Swallows you may also find one or two Barn Swallow nests, and two introduced species, the Rock Dove (Pigeon) and English House Sparrow. English House Spar-


rows are the enemies of Cliff, Barn Swallows and our native cavity nesting birds. They are not Spar- rows. They are an intro- duced species of Finch with a powerful beak and the ability to peck eggs, kill young and even adults to take over nest sites. Cliff Swallows are very


numerous under The Clark Bridge between Missouri and Illinois. It spans the Mississippi River on Route 67. A short video by Jo Al- wood can be found Just


google, “You Tube Cliff Swallows Gathering Mud: NARRATED 3min. 18 sec.” Sometimes Cliff Swal-


lows pass through our farm while preparing to migrate. I decided to try to attract them to the eaves of our rid- ing arena. The building’s ex- terior is steel. I decided to emulate rough-sawn board of old barns and screwed some pieces cut to size and scored on the table saw. In spring 2023 I screwed them under the eaves in the shade of the drive shed which is parallel to the arena. With- out describing my efforts I will let the pictures show the results. I also put a row of mud nests on a shelf be- tween two trusses hoping Cliff Swallows would finish them off to their liking as they do with Barn Swallow nests. Unfortunately the only


birds which “finished off” a nest was a pair of English House Sparrows. Yuck! I re- moved the nests but not the


Wood Placed Under the Eaves.


Right: Cliff Swallow Nests Under a Bridge.


wood. I hope Cliff Swal- lows will see my habitat and use it in the future. Please help Barn Swal-


lows, other Swallows, or na- tive birds. There are many things you can do. Please


contact me on Facebook or by telephone; Linda Marie Glass Ward (Barn Swallow Carpenter) 519 327-4541 Landline.


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