About a month ago Layla and I noticed some unauthorized construction taking place at our home, in Mills County, Texas, just outside of Goldthwaite. At the time we thought it was Martins, but a careful study of the participants showed them to be Barn Swallows, Hirundo Rustica, a common visitor to Central Texas during the spring and summer. The construction site was under an eve, at the side entrance to our house.
With no luck, I tried for a week or more to get pictures of the work in progress. Not succeeding with that effort I devised a plan, using my truck, with the window rolled half way down, as a blind, I was able to get some pictures of the birds guarding their mud nest.

The little birds have persevered and completed the nest.

The female has laid eggs and if we didn’t interrupt her so much, she could complete the cycle shortly. These Barn Swallows feed on flying insects in the evening and it is fun to watch them fly around and “do” their business, but, a big BUT, the construction site will be destroyed as soon as the little ones can fly away!

I’ll keep everyone posted about the Barn Swallow’s progress.

With no luck, I tried for a week or more to get pictures of the work in progress. Not succeeding with that effort I devised a plan, using my truck, with the window rolled half way down, as a blind, I was able to get some pictures of the birds guarding their mud nest.

The little birds have persevered and completed the nest. The female has laid eggs and if we didn’t interrupt her so much, she could complete the cycle shortly. These Barn Swallows feed on flying insects in the evening and it is fun to watch them fly around and “do” their business, but, a big BUT, the construction site will be destroyed as soon as the little ones can fly away!

I’ll keep everyone posted about the Barn Swallow’s progress.