Our friends have come back

**Aggie_Ama** · 03-06-2009, 10:08 AM

The first year we owned this house (spring 2007) a barn swallow built a nest and laid a clutch on our porch. My first instinct was to run them off because they poop- a lot! But the lovely ladies of TE told me I had just found free insect control, so the birds (and lizards and frogs) have stayed. The front yard has been relatively mosquito-free. The birds abandoned the nest but we left it intact (more out of laziness). This morning I heard chirping, it was driving me crazy because I really thought a bird was somehow in our attic! But nope, she is back and she has a bunch of babies too. I don't remember her being there last spring but maybe she was? I am happy to see my old buddies but now it means I better start spraying off the poop.

**sundial** · 03-06-2009, 10:28 AM

That's neat! You know you'll have to post pictures of your mommy bird and babies. Have you named her yet?

**Aggie_Ama** · 03-06-2009, 11:59 AM

I got picture of the male sitting in our tree, he has gorgeous red breast but the Mommy got angry that I was there and flew to my neighbor's roof to keep and eye on me. I don't think I will be able to get the babies without angering Mommy and I don't want to do that! Once I figure out how to get pictures off my new camera I will share the snap I got of the guy and keep stalking the girl. I don't know what to name her.

**alpinerabbit** · 03-06-2009, 01:37 PM

I used to share a lab with an avid ornithologist (bird watcher); he would bring celebratory cake for the whole group every spring when "his" swallows had returned!

**Aggie_Ama** · 03-06-2009, 01:49 PM

I can't say I am that excited but I did make sure to put water in the bird bath.

**Trekhawk** · 03-06-2009, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by alpinerabbit

I used to share a lab with an avid ornithologist (bird watcher); he would bring celebratory cake for the whole group every spring when "his" swallows had returned!

What a nice thing to celebrate. Thanks for sharing your story it made me smile.

I love birds but I suck at cooking so I don't think this will ever be me. I love the fact that someone is getting so much joy from nature that they celebrate it.

**Trekhawk** · 03-06-2009, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by Aggie_Ama

Once I figure out how to get pictures off my new camera I will share the snap I got of the guy and keep stalking the girl. I don't know what to name her.

Would love to see the snap too Aggie.

**salsabike** · 03-06-2009, 04:39 PM

That is so wonderful. I am a total bird lover.

**latelatebloomer** · 03-06-2009, 05:31 PM

It's always a happy day when "Mr. & Mrs. Chatterjee*" return from their summer place to raise a new family in our barn. Swallows in flight just make my heart SING.

(an Indian surname, but it always reminded me of swallow language)

**SlowButSteady** · 03-06-2009, 05:36 PM

We have purple martins and it is about time for them to return.

I''ve been expecting them any day now, but we had gobs of snow (very rare) on Sunday and a generally cold winter, so I'm wondering.

We usually see flocks of American robins starting in January and I'm just now seeing them in medium-small numbers.

Bring it on, baby, time for spring.

**sbctwin** · 03-06-2009, 06:05 PM

I remember Zen's post a couple years back of her 'babies'. I would absolulty love to have a nest of babies in my yard to talke pics of. As it is, I get to walk up to pine siskins eating me out of house and home with the never ending nyger see I have around. Please show pics if you take some...

**sundial** · 03-07-2009, 04:31 AM

Photographed these killdeer chicks that just hatched.

**bmccasland** · 03-07-2009, 07:19 AM

Aggie_Ama - Good to hear your birdies came back! Considering your area has been so dry, I'm sure they appreciate the bird bath, just remember to change out the water to keep mosquitoes from breeding in it. Other birdies will appreciate it too.

**Aggie_Ama** · 03-09-2009, 10:33 AM

Thanks for the reminder Beth. We had a friend get West Nile interning, that was no fun and it is in Texas now. I will try to see if DH will humor us all and snap a photo of those babies. I am not a fan of ladders. And maybe tonight I can figure out this new camera and upload the male, he is quite lovely but I am not sure the picture is.

**sundial** · 03-09-2009, 12:34 PM

Oh please do! I love birdies!

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