June
8, 2004 - 3 swallows
We've been
following the progress of the cliff swallows as they started
and completed their nests. Now
the eggs have hatched, and the chicks are big enough that they
can stand and wait at the door for their parents to arrive with
food.
Here's the same scene, in sound and video. The parents may deliver
food to their chicks hundreds of times in a day.
(Get the free QuickTime Player here.)
Along with the Cliff Swallows, we have two other species of
swallow nesting on the Reserve. Above is a Tree Swallow, which
is a cavity nester – i.e. it relies on finding an existing
cavity, like this birdbox, for a nest.
The third
species is the least common on the Reserve. Barn Swallows [this
pair is nesting in the Reserve car port] are close relatives
of Cliff Swallows. Barn Swallows are also mud nesters, but their
nests are open-topped, basket-like affairs, versus the gourd
shape of Cliff Swallow nests.
This Barn
Swallow nest is under the railroad bridge at Hudson's Landing.
The the
lighting under the bridge was especially nice – here's
a look at another Barn Swallow nest, this time with the light
in motion. Groovy.
