Swallow Nest Box Bowl

The Swallow Bowl Nest Box is constructed in WoodStone for extra long life. With permanent mounting on a wooden frame, it will not fall in dry weather, smooth walls or from vibration. Being self-contained and ready for use, swallows can occupy the nests immediately on return from their winter stay in Africa.

Swallows are popular birds and are regarded as the bringers of good luck. They feed on flying insects and prefer to hunt in the immediate vicinity of their nesting sites. After breeding they will follow the warm weather and airborne insects southwards in early autumn, eventually overwintering in the southern tip of Africa.

Swallows arrive in the UK during April and the first priority is finding a suitable nesting site where they form their famous nest bowls out of mud and saliva. They seek out old buildings such as farm buildings and stables with open access and dry timbers. However, these building are now in short supply and modern building techniques do not favour swallows nesting preferences. Fortunately swallows will readily adopt special open bowl type nest boxes when suitably sited in an enclosed area such as a porch, outbuilding, garage or stable. The nest bowl should be sited inside the building with easy access for the birds via an open door or window. The male swallows arrive first and when they find a suitable building, will circle above his chosen site, singing to attract females.

It is increasingly difficult for swallows to find suitable nest-building material in our modern world. Permanent puddles with soft muddy edges are in short supply and the ones they do find, are often of poor quality. Additional problems include the walls of buildings are nowadays often very smooth and as a result, nests tend to fall down, sometimes with the nestlings inside.