FreeLists / birdky / [birdky] Barn Swallows

[GarJn@xxxxxxx]

My husband, and now our neighbors are wondering what has happened to the Barn 
Swallows that used to be so common in our area.

My husband noticed that there were none following him, looking for insects, 
as he mowed the fields this year, as they always had in the past. Then 
yesterday, a neighbor asked me if I thought English Sparrows or her cat could 
have 
caused the lack of swallows in the last two years. I told her I didn't think 
either of those could have caused a Barn Swallow decline.

Could anyone please tell us why we are not seeing the Barn Swallow?

Other neighbors have not gotten the Martins they usually had, but we put up a 
house last year and had a few, then more this year. However, we doubt if we 
got the Martins from our neighbor three miles away. Anyway, we only have about 
6 pairs.

We have many Tree Swallows now. They are taking over our seven bluebird 
boxes. Bluebirds have only nested in two this year.

We do have many Quail this year for the first time in many years. A male came 
up on the porch last week, staying about fifteen minutes right by the door. 
Then he went into the garage one evening. He stays close to the house, but we 
have a lot of cover, because we don't mow around everything and my flower bed 
is thick with cover.

Thanks for any answers you can give.

Judy Arnold
Western Shelby County
================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBERS==============

The BIRDKY Mailing List requires you to sign 
your messages with first & last name, city, & 
state abbreviation.
--------------------------------------------------
To post to this mailing list, send e-mail to:
birdky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
-------------------------------------------------- 
To unsubscribe, send e-mail to:
birdky-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject line.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  
Visit the Kentucky Ornithological Society
web site at http://www.biology.eku.edu/kos.htm
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
BIRDKY List Manager: Gary Ritchison, Richmond, KY
E-mail: gary.ritchison@xxxxxxx