Artificial swallow's nest box?

[smallblueplanet]

I've just been 'buzzed' by a swallow as I went out the back door to the utility room. This set me thinking about whether I could put up an artificial nest under the porch roof which 'overhangs' between the back door and utility room?

The OH says they're not shy birds so wouldn't mind us going in and out. There's still time for them to nest, has anyone put one of these nests up?

[fiveravens]

Yes - I put up one up at this time last year. First of all I just put up a horizontal board, about 8" below the porch ceiling. The swallows started building on it literally within minutes of putting it up. After a few days they had constructed a good-sized nest, but one morning I opened the door to find a magpie had pulled it out. I shoved it back in and tacked a retainer onto the board, just leaving a gap of 3" at the top. The swallows carried on and soon got used to us going in and out. Before long, they were sitting on the top of the retainer at night, looking down at us. They hatched - and successfully reared five chicks, which (after they fledged) sat in a row with their parents over our heads without the slightest fear. I couldn't wait for them to return this year, and lo and behold they're back - rebuilding again. I'm putting up more boards everywhere I can.

[smallblueplanet]

Wow! Sounds great 5ravens - could you post a picture please? That would help lots.

[fiveravens]

Sorry Smallblue - I don't have the neccessary gizmo for posting photos. But it's very simple: a bit of board about 2' long, 6" wide - that makes the floor; a similar bit tacked on along the edge makes the front wall. Secure it to the house wall ( I did it by screwing a bit of 2"x2" wood onto the bottom of the floor and then screwed that to the wall ) leaving a gap of about 3" between the top of the front and the ceiling of the porch. I also closed off one end - the other is against the corner of the porch.