grayfingers
Cave Dweller 
Member since November 2007
Posts: 4,575 
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Post by grayfingers on Jun 11, 2013 14:11:15 GMT -5
I re-built some old bird houses my mother had, and while mowing this morning I had to stop when I saw a momma swallow pop her head out of one to scowl at me and my noisy machine. I will mow there later. . . after the babies are hatched/older. They eat a lot of skeeters. Momma  Papa standing watch   |
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Post by Toad on Jun 11, 2013 19:08:12 GMT -5
Mama does not look happy at all. Papa could care less whether you mow or not...
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Jun 11, 2013 20:13:28 GMT -5
They are high speed eating machines.Do you have water/wetlands around you Bill?The martins are hard to get nested w/out water around.Rascals got mud nests all over my nursery.Between mosquito minnows,tadpoles,mosquito hawks and swallows the moquitos do not have a chance.Even with hundreds of water holding containers.
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grayfingers
Cave Dweller
Member since November 2007
Posts: 4,575
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Post by grayfingers on Jun 11, 2013 20:51:28 GMT -5
James, this place is about a mile from one of the three rivers that converge 30 miles downstream to form the mighty MO. Also, a creek even closer. We get a run of skeeters in June just from hatching out in the wet grass. The timothy hay is already heading up knee-high.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Jun 11, 2013 21:42:51 GMT -5
Sounds like enough beautiful habitat to support swallows.Sounds like you mow.I got a 3 wheeler(ATV) that pulls a 3 gang mower all day.It goes over wet soils better than the diesel tractor!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2013 21:46:03 GMT -5
That must be the best. Grab a beverage, sit in a comfortable chair and watch the darts fly around eating skeeters and such. Dang, that would be a very nice afternoon indeed.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Jun 12, 2013 7:31:16 GMT -5
An established Purple Martin hotel or gourd string is treasured here.'Martin' gourds were commonly grown and hung;a common sight in the country down south. I think they disrupt some song bird activity.   |
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grayfingers
Cave Dweller
Member since November 2007
Posts: 4,575
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Post by grayfingers on Jun 12, 2013 7:49:31 GMT -5
Wow, that is a cool set of apartments!! The Purple Martin is found in Montana, but only in a small section in the NW corner of the state overlapping into Canada. We also have Tree Swallow,(That's what the ones in photos are) Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Cliff Swallow and the Barn Swallow.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Jun 12, 2013 13:34:44 GMT -5
That's a bunch a swallows!A buddy has a hang-up on terns.Greater left tern,lessor right tern,try to keep him away from the beer as long as possible.Or don't take him deep sea fishing.
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