Trail Monitor Stories: The headless swallow by Jim Leitch
Violet-green Swallow found nesting on MBTCS President Jim Leitch’s Bluebird Trail
Last year, one of the pleasant surprises on my trail was having a few families of Violet-green Swallows occupy some of my boxes for the first time ever. It was beautiful to see their flashes of turquoise green on white with a distinct purple rump. They are similar to the Tree Swallow.
My good news story is that they came back this year! A family returned to a nest box in the vicinity of a small outbuilding.
The next chapter in this story isn’t as pleasant. As I opened the box to check on their progress, I found the mother dead on the nest. The most startling discovery as I removed her from the nest was that she was headless!
Another bird had not only pecked her to death but beheaded her as well. Nature can be harsh!
I was befuddled as to how or what could have done such a thing. My question was quickly answered when I looked back at the box and saw a house sparrow enter.
The moral of the story is that house sparrows are no friends of bluebirds or swallows and it's best to have your boxes placed as far from buildings as possible.
The second good news story is that four other Violet-green Swallow pairs did manage to successfully raise and fledge their families in other boxes later that summer.
I am looking forward to next year to see if they return.
Attendees at the Spring Orientation had an opportunity to see the Violet-green Swallows!
Trail Monitors have so many great stories to share from their outdoor experiences and encounters! We’ve asked Monitors to share some of their experiences and photographs from their year of trail work. This post, photos, and narrative are from MBTCS President Jim Leitch.
Do you have a great story to share? Contact us!