Swallow nest boxes

[BenBhoy]

There has been swallows nest in our pitched roof lambing shed for over 70 years. Unfortunately, the roof has had to be taken off & the cost of like for like was too much, so we are putting a flat roof on. I'm conscious of the swallows returning to find no suitable nesting sites . With that in mind, has anyone had success with the specialist nest boxes? Either stone dish type or slanted wooden boxes?

Thanks

 

[Norfolk Horn]

The swallows that we have each.year nest in the stable with a pitched roof but also in a store shed with a flat roof on top of the lintel over the door so yours may just adapt

 

[jall55]

There has been swallows nest in our pitched roof lambing shed for over 70 years. Unfortunately, the roof has had to be taken off & the cost of like for like was too much, so we are putting a flat roof on. I'm conscious of the swallows returning to find no suitable nesting sites . With that in mind, has anyone had success with the specialist nest boxes? Either stone dish type or slanted wooden boxes?

Thanks

Hi Ben
I have seen the wooden ones work
There was a fellow i think on springwatch who made thousands each year

 

[Bo Diddley]

I'm not sure Swallows will nest in a Swift box, I think they need a beam to build upon if I'm not mistaken, I stand to be corrected, I'm sure Google will throw up the answers...

 

[Cyres]

I have seen concrete type swallow nests for sale but not recently. A quick search on.line should do it. Alternatively a question to the BTO may provide a solution.
D

 

[BenBhoy]

I have seen concrete type swallow nests for sale but not recently. A quick search on.line should do it. Alternatively a question to the BTO may provide a solution.
D

I've seen the them online, around £12 each though. Just don't wanna get them & they are known to not work...

 

[Cyres]

Only one way to find out!

 

[VSS]

Make some out of papermache.

 

[camodog]

I wouldn't be unduly concerned. It's not uncommon for vacated/old nests to fall down. On the swallows return they simply renew. As regards replacing the pitched roof with a flat one, providing there are some suitable edges/corners for them to attach new nests there ought not be an issue. Swallows are very 'loyal' to their nesting sites. Either way, you now don't have long to find out !

 

[BenBhoy]

Well the new roof isn't on yet!! Race to get it done before lambing (which is due to start couple weeks before I anticipate first swallows )

 

[Pelyma]

I have some woodcrete ones in our stables, some years they use them and some not, when they don't they just go on the top of the lights. I have these Swallow Nest Box

 

[Freeforester]

They’re nothing if not adaptable, had them nest most years here at the front door. It’s okay to knock down an old nest (do it after winter before they arrive, so the wrens may use it to roost in over winter), part of their mating regime is to build the nest together. We left one here for a couple of years and were ’baffled’ as to why they didn’t re-use it (in fairness, they’re not really closely related to eagles!). They prefer overhead protection obviously, so a small platform maybe 5-6” below the ceiling should let them come and go. About a foot or two below you can put a bigger bit of something to catch the droppings, but it would be best leave them to nest and hatch first, no mess to speak of before they start feeding their young really.

 

[Squirrelbasher]

I've seen the them online, around £12 each though. Just don't wanna get them & they are known to not work...

I’ve had two of those out for about three years now and no takers yet. I think if the swallows are already using the building, so long as there’s suitable ledges or beams they should be ok. If not, maybe put some narrow shelving up on the walls about six inches below the inside of the roof?