Initially, the birds seems to work non-stop, collecting mud, straw, hay, and other tidbits used to fabricate sturdy nests in the upper reaches of the horse loafing sheds. The horses never seem to mind.
Before long, we're hearing the peeps of hatchlings. The parent birds shift into an even higher gear as they field food for their babies.
Though tiny, Barn Swallows can be "hell on wheels" when it comes to defending their young. Lately, the acrobatic birds have been dive bombing my ten-pound Rat Terrier/Miniature Pinscher pup, Sprite. Since Sprite fits the general size and shape of most felines, I suppose the swallows aren't taking any chances...
It's no wonder. The Barn Swallow nestlings, drab little creatures with remnant down, have just now begun to fledge. They are testing their wings on short flights between their nest and the loafing shed tresses. Before long, they'll be soaring with their parents.
Our first year at Sweetgrass, we had one pair of Barn Swallows. This year, there are three pairs. I like to imagine they are all related, that some of the birds nesting here were also birthed in our loafing sheds.
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