… that I decided to go to Heritage Park on July 16th.
I had an agenda of “wants” that included tiny ducklings, grown-up goslings and baby Barn Swallows. I knew that of these three “wants” the Barn Swallows would be the most difficult images to capture. The adults are constantly on the move, swooping here, there and everywhere to gather insects for themselves or their brood, or snagging mud and various plant materials to construct their cup-shaped nests, mostly beneath wooden structures, like overlooks, or in the rafters of covered bridges like the one at Heritage Park.
You’ll recall in my recent post about ducklings that while awaiting Mama Mallard and her offspring to emerge from beneath the covered bridge where they were expertly evading my shutter-happy self, I swiveled my head up to peer at the rafters for Swallow babies.
Hmm, it was a messy mishmash overhead!
Barn Swallows are beautiful creatures, with their peach-colored tummies and iridescent cobalt-blue bodies. I’ve been lucky to capture images of them at Lake Erie Metropark as they favor a dead tree to congregate and chatter to one another.
But here at Heritage Park, it’s not as simple. Sometimes I’m lucky to see a Barn Swallow catching its breath on the boulders near the bridge …
… or sitting on the wooden overlook by the Little Red Schoolhouse, in between their constant swoops and dives for bugs or nesting materials.
Back in 2020, I saw these cute baby Barn Swallows …
… but unfortunately, there were no babies this time.
Because it is dark under the bridge roof, my photos are never crystal clear, but it is interesting to see how these fine-feathered friends craft their nests. I took pictures, with great expectations since the camera’s red, low-light icon kept flashing.
There appeared to be an adult in one nest, but, due to the low light, plus me squinting a little, I still wasn’t even sure it was a bird inside the nest due to the messy feathers around where it sat, but later, when I sorted through my pictures, I saw a tail and confirmed yes, it was a Mama-to-be Barn Swallow.
Even though I was on the bridge walkway, far from any nest, an adult Barn Swallow parked itself up high, monitoring my movements, eyes trained on the nest on the other side. Each time the flash lit up the area, it seems it similarly flashed me an irritated look.
Near the nest, was another Swallow – was it protecting the nesting Mama-to-be or bringing her snacks while she silently incubated her eggs? It sure was messy in that corner and I was glad I had a hat on, though I didn’t really want white polka-dots on my hat either. 🙂
Believe me, the Missus sitting on the nest was safe and secure, way out of my reach, even if I was inclined to touch that mud-and-feathers, likely lice-infested and poop-ridden nest. But the adults positioned themselves as guardians of the gates, so I muttered that I was “just passin’ through, then I will be on my way.”
I noticed another messy-looking nest in the light fixture, but this one belonged to another type of bird – probably a Sparrow. They are fond of building nests in the pole lights around the park.
Postscript: Barn Swallows encounter #2.
It seems I’ve set a trend here of visiting Mamas on nests, then returning later in search of babies. This was the case once again as I returned to Heritage Park on July 4th, 18 days later, grateful that the park’s Summer Festival had wrapped up and I could do my usual slow meander around Coan Lake and to the Taylor Botanical Gardens.
It was a blazing hot day and I arrived later than usual, having visited Emily Frank Gardens before driving here to Heritage Park. I usually visit much earlier in the day.
The sun, already high in the sky, looked as bright yellow as this Coreopsis plant that I saw in the perennial garden, while I was multi-tasking, looking for butterflies. The sun seemed like it must have a blazing red interior like this plant.
After stopping for a fun photo op with a Great Blue Heron and a Double-crested Cormorant, getting “grown-up” pics of MY goslings and ducklings, I stepped under the covered bridge once again.
I was reminded of the realtor’s expression: “location, location, location!”
All I can say is the living conditions of my fine-feathered friends was deplorable!
I had to assume that the Barn Swallow chicks had fledged in the 18 days since I’d last visited on June 16th and, when I hopped onto the “All About Birds” site that night – yes, that time frame confirmed it.
Well I might have been back sooner but for the Taylor Summer Festival the weekend before.
The bridge floor was a hot mess … nest pieces strewn about with feathers everywhere. Ugh! I hope it happened post-fledging!
On closer inspection I concluded this fallen nest belonged to the other inhabitants. It really should have been cleaned up by park maintenance before kids got their fingers into it.
I saw no Barn Swallow babies and all the adult Swallows that had previously “patrolled” the covered bridge while scoping out intruders were gone.
Mission accomplished – maybe they’ll have another brood this Summer. I’m keeping my eyes peeled as I remain on “Baby Patrol”.
I am joining Terri’s Sunday Stills Photo Challenge: Feathers.
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
I enjoyed your post especially the photos of the terribly messy birds’ nests.
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Thank you Anne! The nests are horribly messy and I wanted pictures of them, but was concerned they would fall apart and fall down on me!
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I find it fascinating how all the birds seem to make their nest from different material. These are the cutest birds that I have never seen sitting except in your pictures! The egg color sounds interesting too.
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Thank you Diane – they rarely alight as they are always on the move, so I was lucky to get these photos. In fact, I went to Lake Erie Metropark today to visit my usual spot where I always get Barn Swallow photos and I only saw a few and none of them sat on the branches as they usually did, so I came away with no pics. Their nests are something else. I never see them in the mud or grass getting nest materials. The babies are so cute with the feathers around their ears.
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I’m surprised they are out and about in this heat. The hummingbirds are drinking like crazy.
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I am thinking the water must be sapping their strength for sure. The hummingbirds need lots of energy so they are happy for your nectar. I have nowhere to put my feeders now … I used to put them in the backyard when the trees were there if it got too hot at the side (no shade there), but now with the two trees gone I have not put the feeders out last year or this year. I have drops to put in to keep the nectar fresh, but I think it would spoil very quickly in this heat – yesterday for us was 105 heat index … probably same for you.
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having Swallows around will help in getting rid of biting insects!
Cute little creatures!
Great study Linda!
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Well I like that idea immensely Wayne – I could do with less bugs, that’s for sure! I wish they would eat ticks – our tick population has gone up since last year and people going to ERs with tick bites is up 61%. I was at Lake Erie Metropark today and stayed on the asphalt path only, no rustic trails for me. The Barn Swallows are very cute and I feel lucky when I get a picture of them sitting still, as it is rare for them. They zoom around with endless energy. Those babies with their feather tufts are so cute too. Thank you!
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I enjoy your range pf photographs 🙂
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Thank you Anne! The babies are very cute and I think the Barn Swallows are very photogenic birds … I can’t say those nests are photogenic though. 🙂
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Beautiful baby Barn Swallows. Perfect you captured the baby Swallow. I like.
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Thank you Raj. I agree with you – the babies are very cute with their tufts of feathers.
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Welcome Linda! yes, babies are very Cute & smart 😍. I like.
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Wonderful pictures of the barn swallows, Linda! Their coloring is very striking and I love that split in the tail feathers. Too bad you missed seeing the chicks before they fledged. Maybe next year now that you have a better idea of the timing. The baby pics you showed from 5 years ago are priceless so I can see why you wanted so badly to get another batch!
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Thank you Barbara! I think they are very photogenic if you can get them to sit still long enough as they’re always swooping and diving. In fact today I went to Lake Erie Metropark to my favorite spot to watch them and there were only a few Barn Swallows and none of them perched on that dead tree, so no pictures. I must have just missed those babies given that 18-day lapse in visits. Between the weather and then it was finally good weather and the festival with carnival rides, etc. was there, so I didn’t go. I’m hoping they’ll be a second batch this Summer. I will keep checking!
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I’ve seen barn swallows in more rural areas but none around here. I’ve tried to grow Coreopsis but it didn’t take. Even tried a few different ones, but to no avail.
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It is the same thing here Ally. Around here they are seen mostly in the larger parks with wooden overlooks, near marshes, but I think they are attracted to nesting in this bridge or under the overlook as this is really a residential neighborhood with lots of traffic. I never had Coreopsis in my garden, but I had Blanket Flowers, which look very similar.
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We had a robin’s nest on the understructure of the next door neighbor’s deck. It was wonderful to watch. Babies are always exciting.
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I think they are exciting to watch too Kate. Several years ago my friend in Virginia had a robin’s nest on her back porch. She sent me photos every day, from the eggs, until they were about to fledge. I, too, enjoyed watching them “grow up” along with her. I always like those tufts of feathers around their “ears” which are still there, just as they are ready to fledge.
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Well those babies you saw before were sure cute and I hope you see some later this summer!
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I hope so too Dawn! They were so cute peeking out of the nest with their feather tufts on their head!
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That was a cute post! And such cute babies! Looks like a nice day out.
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Thanks Joni! The babies are really cute, especially with their feather tufts on their head. Yes it was a lucky day getting the pics. I went out today to Lake Erie Metropark looking for Barn Swallows in my usual spot and there were only a couple. I have to go back to Heritage Park more often I guess as maybe there will be a second group of offspring in 2025.
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Barn swallows are one of my favorites too, Linda. So pretty and lively. Glad you gave us the follow up postscript.
The coreopsis pic is so pretty too. I have tried without luck to add those flowers to my garden. Not sure what I’m doing wrong, but they never last for me.
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I think they are very photogenic birds too Laurie. I was lucky to get them sitting still as that is rare as you know. In fact, I went to Lake Erie Metropark today thinking I’d go to that big tree where they congregate and get more photos, but there were only a few Barn Swallows there and none of them were resting (it was cooler – perhaps that is why).
I had to Google the name of that flower to be sure because this plant had no marker in the Taylor Garden Club’s perennial garden. I thought it was a Blanket Flower which I had at one time in my garden. They look similar but are not. The Garden Club’s flowers probably don’t get as much attention as you gave yours either. 🙂
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I love birds in the abstract, and at a distance outdoors. Birds indoors or up close bring lots of grossest, sadly.
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Grossness
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Well JP, with avian flu now an issue, I think it is wise to keep your distance from wild birds anymore. I did one pass-through under that covered bridge and got my pictures and then out of there, especially after seeing the scraggly and yes, gross, nests and marks all over the rafters.
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THEY’RE SO CUTE!! They look like tiny grumpy old men 🤣😂
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I know LaShelle – you are right, that’s exactly how they look! 🙂
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Hi Linda – this is such a wonderful nature post (the normal Linda MO) and stil laughing at the deplorable nest (how fun is that) and it really interesting to see how the birds craft their nests
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Thank you Yvette! Yes, this is more my MO with nature featured prominently (if possible). These Barn Swallows studied me like I was going to reach up and grab the nest (with Mama-to-be in it). I expected them to “buzz me” any minute. These nests are quite creative, although it is difficult to tell in between all the feathers, but the fact that they bring mud in to pack it/attach it to a wooden structure is pretty amazing to me.
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amazing to me also
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Your photo essay of the nests and fledglings is so fun and I’m sure amazing to see with your own eyes Linda! Your photos are so clear and capture the cute expressions of the birds.
I gave up trying to photograph swallows, it’s dizzying! I do have some pics to share next month of the rest of my bird visitors.
Despite watching their nesting progress, its bittersweet to see them finally fly away. As it should be.
Been kind of a busy week with my family here and our pending short road trip to the Seattle area this week. There is a huge wildfire near us but not close enough to cause worry.
Have a great week 😀
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Thanks Terri! We have both Barn Swallows and Tree Swallows here in SE Michigan and both dart around at the speed of sound, so I’m always grateful when they stop for a breath. I am going to go back to Heritage Park soon (we have another big heat wave starting tomorrow) to see if there’s another Swallow on a nest, then get back for baby time if so. You’re lucky you got to watch this whole process. Enjoy your trip to Seattle. I’m glad there are no worries with the wildfire – you don’t need that worry as it’s already been a difficult year. Enjoy your trip and safe travels!
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Thank you, Linda!
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What pretty (if messy) birds! Your 2020 photos of the babies are great… I love their little tufts of “hair” on their heads.
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Thank you Janis! I am hoping if there is another nest, I’ll get some more photos like before – they are cute with those tufts of hair, like little old men. 🙂 They are very vibrant-looking birds and their cobalt blue feathers look iridescent in the sun.
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You got some great shots, Linda. We see barn swallows around the farm but as you say getting photos is difficult because they are rarely still. They are known for eating mosquitos so I’m always happy to see them but also happy they have not tried to nest in our barn.
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Thank you Ruth! They are beautiful birds and I feel lucky I got these shots of them taking a rare rest. If they eat mosquitoes. they are handy to have around – eating ticks would be even better. Yes, you don’t want your barn getting nests like these which are interesting to see how they are fashioned, but are also very messy.
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Ground feeders like killdeer would be the ones that eat ticks, as do our chickens. Also handy to have around.
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It’s amazing the ticks don’t injure the killdeer or chickens, yet are bad for dogs. Ruth, do you have to do tick checks for you and your husband and Ranger and Ruby after being at the farm? I follow the Metroparks on social media and they said we have the abundance of ticks due to the warmer Winters … I did not think it was a warm Winter though. The article also said ticks are a problem for temps over 40 degrees.
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Yes, we do regular tick checks and had to put the dogs on monthly tick treatment this year. They were worse earlier in the year I think they are not as bad because it’s been hot and dry.
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I didn’t know the hot/dry weather made it better – good to know that. In this nice few days respite from the heat and humidity I tried to stay on asphalt or paved pathways and not meander into tall grass or rustic trails due to ticks. My friend who used to track her Goldens and Shepherds has them on tick treatment, but also sprayed them with Avon Skin So Soft which helps to repel the ticks too.
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Great to see your Barn Swallows Linda
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Thank you Andy – I am going back a few more times, hoping to see more babies.
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Your photos show the beautiful colours of the barn swallows so well! Too bad the nests are messy, but nature usually is. 🙂
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Thank you Debbie. Yes, the barn swallows are vibrant looking, especially in the sun when the cobalt blue is almost iridescent. Yes, nature is messy and they may take the prize for messy nests. I can’t figure out what all the white feathers are unless the mom was molting up in the nest or collected feathers to make the nest soft for the eggs/babies.
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The barn swallows are so pretty!
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Yes, their coloring is so beautiful and the cobalt blue feathers seem iridescent when you see them on a sunny day. I wish they would take more “breathers” as they are almost always in motion.
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