Deb and Ed M
SW MI, USA
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Joined: 06/07/2004
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I'm not sure where they live (there's a lumber yard nearby - maybe there?) but every time I mow our 1-1/2 acre yard at work, about 6 or so Barn Swallows show up within a minute or two...LOL!! They swoop and dive within inches of my tractor, picking off the insects the mower kicks up :-) I've seen gulls follow fishing boats - just wasn't aware that birds recognized mowers as "bearers-of-dinner"?
It makes a boring job a lot more exciting!
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StevenH
Michigan
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Joined: 02/20/2008
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Deb and Ed
The barn swallows are cool I have 2 to 4 that do that here when I cut my grass (3 acres). About 8 years ago we had a turkey that started following the riding mower snatching the insects. My son didn't know about it and decided to help and cut the grass. The turkey true to form came swooping in to get behind the mower. The look on my sons face when he was "attacked" by a wild turkey was priceless. The turkey spent the summer roosting and hanging around the house.
Steve
97 Beaver Patriot 40'
3126 CAT, Allison 3060
Aqua Hot
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AZPops
Wherever the Job takes us...
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Joined: 07/13/2006
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So where's the Pictures?????
Pops
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BCSnob
Middletown, MD
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Joined: 02/23/2002
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My grandfather always had a pair follow him while he mowed his yard (in the Chicago area).
We have been fighting with 20+ that have been trying to build nests on our porches. We keep telling them, "you're barn swallows, go build in one of our many barns or sheds". Then we pull down the start of any nest.
I do love watching them drink and bathe "on the wing" in our pond. I've been attempting to photograph one when it takes a dip but so far my attempts are not great.
Mark
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agteacher
Ohio
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Joined: 02/09/2005
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We have some that built nests in the cow pen. The kids have had fun this summer when they go take care of the animals. The swallows buzz their heads. The swallows don't bother my husband or I. Apparently, the game is to see who runs away and if you don't run they lose interest. It recently went from the two parents to include this year's harch. I haven't noticed them following the mower.
4 kids (One is my husband, but I sometimes wonder)
8 yr boy,9 yr girl,10 yr girl
01 International 4700
99 Dodge 2500 Quad Long Bed,Cummins,Rhino Liner
98 Lance Squire 4000
06 WW SLC 3505
48 Ford 8N was a rustbucket
52 Ford 8N w/ Sherman 54B HydroHoe
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Deb and Ed M
SW MI, USA
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Joined: 06/07/2004
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BCSnob wrote:
We have been fighting with 20+ that have been trying to build nests on our porches. We keep telling them, "you're barn swallows, go build in one of our many barns or sheds". Then we pull down the start of any nest.
One year, when our now-home was our cottage - we had a pair of Barn Swallows build a nest/lay eggs on the top of one of our boat's pontoons before we could stop the process. The race was on, to see if the chicks would hatch/leave the nest before the 4th of July, when it's mandatory that the boat be used for our fireworks viewing.
When it became obvious the chicks weren't going to manage this on OUR timeline, I built a nice house; put the nest in the house, then inch-by-inch, moved it to a post on the boat lift where they could raise the chicks in peace. The parents continued to feed the babies and seemed to like the new spot I made for them - and we FINALLY got to use our boat!
I enjoy birds in general - but anyone who eats bugs is VERY precious in MY mind!!
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Code2High
One hour past Nowhere, CA
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Joined: 12/21/2004
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Birds are really quite adaptive and they figure stuff out... I went outside one day last week when the weather started to heat up, and found a hummingbird resting in the elm tree that shades the east side of the house. He stayed there through the heat of the day. As the really hot days wore on, he got closer and closer to the bathroom window, which produces a steady stream of cooled air since I have a swamp cooler system.
The day after he found the closest twig to the source of coolness, he showed up with a friend, who looks to be female. We are of course well past nesting season but they hung out together for a couple of days until the weather lightened up. I expect if we get more of the really hot days (over 110F) I'll see them again.
Many years ago I was working on a horse ranch and decided to grow some tomatoes over the summer. Of course I ended up with a batch of hornworms, which I'd throw as far as I could. Once the birds figured it out, they started showing up in the morning to meet me!
susan
You know, there's really quite a lot to be said for having your life turned upside down!
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david_42
Oregon
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Joined: 04/08/2005
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The redtail hawks like it when I mow. Makes it easier to see the mice, voles and garter snakes. The barn swallows don't bother. And the turkey vultures cruise by when I'm done to see if I whacked something. They're rather lazy.
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Wanderlost
Texas Hill Country
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Joined: 10/29/2004
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Our flock of barn swallows (around 23 or so, I think) swoop around the mower, while the mockingbirds land in the just mowed area and go for the grasshoppers.
We have no mosquitoes.
I do hope we have lots of barn swallows next year.
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." -- Mahatma Gandhi
DOTL Spec. Alexander the Grrreat--tuxedo cat
Spot--Christmas cat
Bobbi Socks--tuxedo kitten who's missing, but we're not giving up yet
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jorn
Twin Cities
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Joined: 06/14/2005
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This is commonplace around here. Fire up a mower and the swallows show up, looking for the bugs you roust.
2001 Coachmen Leprechaun 314SS (Acquired in July 2008)
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