A pair of barn swallows built a nest right out side of my window this season, giving me an excellent view. I determined that they were barn swallows rather than cliff swallow because of the shape of the nest.

I do not have photos of mom and dad incubating the eggs, but they dutifully took turns and would only leave when the other returned to set. Once the chicks hatched, mom and dad took turns feeding the hungry chicks. My insect population seemed to drop.

When the chicks got a little bigger I could see that there were four of them! They instinctively lay flat and quiet until their parents would arrive with food. Then they would chirp vigorously. I was concerned about the many magpies around my home who will take a chick right out of the nest. However, these ever vigilant parents chased magpies away (about three times their size) on a regular basis.

It only took a few weeks for the swallow chicks to be fully feathered and ready to fly. They now fly about during the day, probably catching insects and return in the evening to the nest where the parents are still bringing them insects. Sure, it left a mess on my porch, but it is just a few short weeks and I completely enjoyed watching this process. I also appreciate all the swallows do to keep down the insect population. You are welcome back anytime swallows.