Barn swallows and nest © Fine Plan CC BY-NC 2.0

Re: Nesting Instincts

I read with great interest the article “Nesting Instincts” in your recent Spring 2018 ON Nature magazine about the barn swallows.  The new structures built to replace existing barns/bridges/etc. have been erected with ready to occupy nesting cups.  As the article states, instinct would lead swallows to build where and how they have always built – ledges.  Could ledges not be installed to better replicate their natural instincts?  I think it would certainly be worth a try and an inexpensive fix if it works.

I greatly enjoy reading ALL the articles in your magazine.  Thank you.

Claire Anderson
Strathroy, ON