Swallows are true flight artists because they eat, drink and sleep during the flight. There are numerous myths surrounding the feathered friends. But they are not always welcome, even though they provide valuable services.
Swallows make dirt but are useful
Why are swallows nesting near me?
The birds need moist clay as building material. Since this is becoming rarer in sealed urban areas, they are switching to new development areas. In the building pits they find large masses of the substrate they need. If the animals breed on your property, this indicates good feeding conditions. Swallows are extremely useful building nesters because they catch insects such as pesky mosquitoes or spiders. As their living conditions deteriorate, consider yourself lucky to have a colony of swallows.
Swallows are hygienic
Swallows are clean animals that keep their nests clean. The parents initially carry their offspring's droppings out of the nest. When the young birds get older, they dispose of their legacies themselves via the edge of the nest.
Destruction of nests prohibited
Many sufferers remove the nests out of anger, with no regard for young birds or eggs. Since swallows are under nature protection in Germany, such measures are prohibited. In addition, the success does not last long, because the species are considered to be site-loyal and build a new nest in the same place in the next breeding season.
The Lower Nature Conservation Authority is the first point of contact when it comes to the unavoidable resettlement of swallow colonies or defense. If there are good reasons, they can grant an exception.
Avoid fecal contamination
Installing a board under the nest colonies helps to protect the house facade and paving stones from bird droppings. Build a shelter 25 centimeters wide at a distance of 60 centimeters from the nest directly against the wall so that the droppings do not contaminate balconies and terraces as well as windows and doors. If you are unable to attach a wooden device, you can set up an awning directly below the colony. This can be easily hosed down with a jet of water and cleaned.
tips
If you can't get along with your feathered neighbors, try colorful wind chimes. Hang these at the nest sites when the breeding season is over.