Posted by kris lapides on June 20, 2007

Q: We have a barn swallow nest up in the rafters on our front porch that we'd like to take down, as it's making a huge mess on the floor below. Is it okay to take down a nest that they are currently using? I don't think there are any eggs or babies inside.

Habitat: suburban/yard

State: Minnesota

Habitat: suburban/yard

A: In checking references to Barn Swallows, I wasn't able to determine whether they will nest twice in one year or not - my sources weren't clear on this.

Sounds like your birds' first nesting did fledge young so those babies will not be returning to the nest to live there. However, if the parents want to renest in the same nest, then removing it will stop their nesting so I'd want to be sure they're not going to use it again. Can you wait a few days to see whether they're showing any continued interest in the nest? If they don't show any interest, then removing the nest will be just fine - they won't use it again next year although they may use the same location. In the future, if Barn Swallows are making a mess of your porch, can you place some kind of tarp beneath to catch what falls? I know it must be a bit upsetting to have your porch dirty but the spectacle of the nesting cycle is a special one that many never get to see. Hope this helps a bit. Thanks for writing.

John Wiessinger ( June 21, 2007)