Cliff Swallows nest in the water tunnels in the concrete section of Brainerd Levee. There are 3 large tunnels on the Shallowford end, each very approximately 10 ft wide, 20 ft high and 40 ft long. The first has about 10 nests in good condition and the 2nd and 3rd about 30 good nests each. I would estimate that at least 20 nests were active this spring / summer. All the birds left weeks ago. Today as I looked over the edge I heard loud squeaking which lasted for about a minute and then quit. This happened each of the 4 times I approached this spot, over about an hour or so. The last time I waded over to the tunnels to find out what it was. In the 3rd tunnel, at the most distant corner, was a single Cliff Swallow nest and against the side of it a structure which looked like a fresh half-sized Barn Swallow nest. On this half nest were four immature Barn Swallows (notched tails, trace of white band, no buffy rump, couldn't see undersides). They were full sized, completely feathered, and looked as if they would have no trouble flying, but they merely struggled to hang on to the tiny nest. I saw no other swallows of any kind during the hour and think these birds may have been abandoned or orphaned. The small size and late nest might indicate unhealthy or abnormal parents. The location was unusual; I don't recall ever seeing Barn Swallows and Cliff Swallows nesting together. Incidentally, the swallows could not have seen me nor shadow nor reflection, nor heard me, until I waded to the entrance of the tunnel, but each time I approached they let out a minute of outrageous squalls, then shut up, even though I continued moving around the area. I would be interested in any recollections of Barn and Cliff nesting together or at the same location (although this nest could have been built after the Cliff Swallows left). David Patterson Chattanooga =================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER===================== The TN-Bird Net requires you to sign your messages with first and last name, city (town) and state abbreviation. ----------------------------------------------------- To post to this mailing list, simply send email to: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx ----------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send email to: tn-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Topographical Maps located at http://topozone.com/find.asp * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society web site at http://www.tnbirds.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * TN-Bird Net Owner: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx (423) 764-3958 =========================================================