Dan,
The way hot air balloons descend at the end of a flight is to release hot
air from the TOP of the balloon, by opening a flap. That would create an
updraft above the balloon. Joel doesn't say where the swallows swarm
relative to the balloon...
Paul Sullivan
Date: 9/19 8:51 PM
From: Dan Gleason <Dan-gleason...>
Subject: [obol] Re: Barn Swallows and hot-air balloons
________________________________________
I've not been around hot air balloons so I don't know the answer to this,
but how much heat is redirected downward from the balloon as it approaches
the ground? I know hot air rises but some must be around and below the
balloon as it nears the ground. Is it enough to either attract insects or
cause enough warm current that many insects fly off of the ground as the
balloon comes down? If suddenly a mass of insects arise or come in this
would attract swallows and since Barn Swallows tend to feed nearer the
ground than most swallows it makes sense that they would be most attracted.
Dan Gleason
Owner, Wild Birds Unlimited of Eugene
Ornithology Instructor, retired, University of Oregon
dan-gleason@xxxxxxxxxxx
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On Sep 19, 2021, at 7:59 PM, Joel Geier wrote:interesting observation:
?
Hi all,
A friend in Yamhill County who frequently pilots hot-air balloons has an
Swallows) come in to swarm the balloons. She has a video clip that shows
As they're landing balloons, frequently swallows (especially Barn
have a couple of ideas but interested to hear what other ideas folks might
The question is, what would draw swallows in to a balloon like this? I
Thanks,
Joel
Joel Geier
