Author Topic: swallows on bird seed feeder - update! (Read 5144 times)

Fleecewife · « **on:** June 13, 2016, 08:55:25 am »

I had never seen this before this year, and thought swallows were exclusively insectivores. This morning two swallows landed on the seed feeder, one of them took seed in its beak then they both flew away. They were hanging around afterwards but I didn't see them land. I had seen this once before when they first arrived, but never in previous years.

So, were they just curious to know what all the fuss was about with the other birds? Did they think it might be a possible source of mud for nest building? Or will swallows take seed if there are not many insects around?

in the hills · « **Reply #1 on:** June 13, 2016, 09:29:10 am »

Never seen them show any interest in our feeders.

How odd.

Is it cold there? Are you short of insects at the moment?

Just a normal seed feeder?

Fleecewife · « **Reply #2 on:** June 13, 2016, 11:49:44 am »

It's wet and cool today but we have had a Scottish heatwave (ie boiling hot to us, but just average to anyone else) so there should be plenty of insects about. Maybe not flying though.
Yes, a normal seed feeder, with a saucer thing attached to the bottom (which it sat on) filled with grains of different sizes and types.
The first time when they first arrived, they actually took beakfuls from the fat block, so we assumed they had had a tough flight up from Africa so needed some emergency rations. But today was definitely seeds.

Caroline1 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 13, 2016, 12:24:20 pm »

Mine have never shown interest in the seeds, although they have their full of insects at the moment. They have set up home in the goat house and I have never seen it so fly free which is great!

Fleecewife · « **Reply #4 on:** June 23, 2016, 06:23:59 pm »

Today, Mr Fleecewife was at the Highland Show and stopped by the RSPB tent. He was told that yes, swallows have been known to eat seeds from feeders if they're hungry, although he had never witnessed it. They have small stones, presumably in the crop, which are used to grind up the chitin of insect wings, and it's thought these are able to grind up seeds. I'm so glad he asked.

Another little gem was that we are seeing fewer swallows this year as lots more than usual stayed in warm sunny France to breed, when the weather was horrible here. We have only two nests this year (both clutches fledged yesterday

) and now we know why.

Bramblecot · « **Reply #5 on:** July 10, 2016, 07:05:40 pm »

We only have one nest in the stables this year, thank you for the possible explanation.
I was delighted last week to have their company when I was harrowing the field on a sunny evening. They stayed with me for nearly an hour, wheeling and dipping around the Landie.

harmony · « **Reply #6 on:** July 10, 2016, 07:42:49 pm »

Quote from: Fleecewife on June 23, 2016, 06:23:59 pm

Today, Mr Fleecewife was at the Highland Show and stopped by the RSPB tent. He was told that yes, swallows have been known to eat seeds from feeders if they're hungry, although he had never witnessed it. They have small stones, presumably in the crop, which are used to grind up the chitin of insect wings, and it's thought these are able to grind up seeds. I'm so glad he asked.

Another little gem was that we are seeing fewer swallows this year as lots more than usual stayed in warm sunny France to breed, when the weather was horrible here. We have only two nests this year (both clutches fledged yesterday ) and now we know why.

Now I can appreciate the swallows might know it is warm and sunny in France whilst they are there but how do they know it is horrible here?