A pair of swallows have decided that they own my potting shed. As soon as I go near it, they 'buzz' me (and Mrs. L). Other swallows have nested (as they do every year) in the eaves of my neighbours house, and starlings usually find somewhere in the roof of my workshop.
These swallows do not seem interested in building a nest, but they resent me going near my potting shed. Sometimes they sit on the shed roof and watch me. Sometimes they fly into the shed and straight out again.
This is the first year that this has happened. I won't harm them, but I wish they'd go somewhere else.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
I wonder if they're two unattached males?
Swallows have nested at my work place for donkey's years but none this year. We've had them visit but none have settled and I fear that it's getting too late if they're going to raise a brood.
Wear a bunnet or woolly hat? Swallows only have little beaks.
Unusual behaviour though. It certainly is disconcerting (happened at the New England site toilets when we were there), but Magpie Larks in Australia will puncture the scalp, so kids wear cycling helmets for the walk to school.
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 05/6/2023
Wear a bunnet or woolly hat? Swallows only have little beaks.
Unusual behaviour though. It certainly is disconcerting (happened at the New England site toilets when we were there), but Magpie Larks in Australia will puncture the scalp, so kids wear cycling helmets for the walk to school.
The Brown Honey Eaters are just as bad.We spent 3 days dodging the blasted things in Emerald. Only protecting their young.
It was fascinating watching them teach their fledglings to get back up the tree to the nest, and we spent a few hours doing that.
------------- Some days you are the dog,
some days you are the tree.
One of them appears to have a beak full of 'grubs' - no doubt destined for a brood. Are you sure they haven't nested in the shed somewhere? Its strange behaviour, otherwise.
No, It's only a small shed and they have made no attempt to nest either in or round it. The strange thing is that they spend very little time round the garden - until we go near the potting shed when they just suddenly appear.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
That seems really strange behaviour. Swallows nested every year in the garage of the house where I grew up. They raised several broods a year with first generation offspring helping with younger siblings. They never minded us going in and out, lots of noisy children, car going in and out, etc and never minded us putting up a ladder occasionally to see eggs/chicks. In 20 odd years never once did I experience or see any aggressive behaviour towards any person.