Title: Swallows hatch in Pembrokeshire kitchen (UK)
Post by: Donna on 09-Jul-11, 07:22:47 AM
Four fledgling swallows have successfully hatched in a nest their parents built on a picture frame above a sink in a woman's kitchen.
The young birds are preparing to fly their unusual nest in Pam Jones's rural cottage near Roch in Pembrokeshire.
Their parents, who built the nest from mud and straw, fly in and out of the back door bringing them food.
Ms Jones, 79, said they seemed unflustered by her presence or that of her cat and dog.
The pensioner said she feeds a wide variety of wild birds from sparrows to pheasants in her garden.
So she was delighted when the swallows started nesting in her kitchen.
She said she did not think that the eggs would hatch as the parents did not seem to spend much time sitting on them, but believes the heat in the kitchen helped them survive.
She keeps her back door open during the day so the parents can fly in and out to gather food.
The nest is on top of the picture frame to the left of Pam Jones The nest is on top of the picture frame to the left of Pam Jones
After dark the whole family settle down in the nest.
"It's an unusual place to build a nest," she said.
"It's so sweet. They are very very happy sat up there with their mother bringing them food."
The parents make full use of the kitchen perching on a Chinese ornament on the other side of the room.
Ms Jones, who plays classical music to them, thinks they are barn swallows.
She believes once the young fly the nest the parents will try to hatch more young before migrating for the winter.
"They really are gorgeous. I will be sorry to see them go," she added
You can see the nest on top of the picture frame
The young birds are preparing to fly their unusual nest in Pam Jones's rural cottage near Roch in Pembrokeshire.
Their parents, who built the nest from mud and straw, fly in and out of the back door bringing them food.
Ms Jones, 79, said they seemed unflustered by her presence or that of her cat and dog.
The pensioner said she feeds a wide variety of wild birds from sparrows to pheasants in her garden.
So she was delighted when the swallows started nesting in her kitchen.
She said she did not think that the eggs would hatch as the parents did not seem to spend much time sitting on them, but believes the heat in the kitchen helped them survive.
She keeps her back door open during the day so the parents can fly in and out to gather food.
The nest is on top of the picture frame to the left of Pam Jones The nest is on top of the picture frame to the left of Pam Jones
After dark the whole family settle down in the nest.
"It's an unusual place to build a nest," she said.
"It's so sweet. They are very very happy sat up there with their mother bringing them food."
The parents make full use of the kitchen perching on a Chinese ornament on the other side of the room.
Ms Jones, who plays classical music to them, thinks they are barn swallows.
She believes once the young fly the nest the parents will try to hatch more young before migrating for the winter.
"They really are gorgeous. I will be sorry to see them go," she added
You can see the nest on top of the picture frameTitle: Re: Swallows hatch in Pembrokeshire kitchen (UK)
Post by: Bobbie Ireland on 09-Jul-11, 07:39:40 AM
Ya beat me to it, Donna. How amazing - but who is cleaning her kitchen?! (I would have been the mad person who kept the door open too... You?)
Title: Re: Swallows hatch in Pembrokeshire kitchen (UK)
Post by: Donna on 09-Jul-11, 07:53:16 AM
Ya beat me to it, Donna. How amazing - but who is cleaning her kitchen?! (I would have been the mad person who kept the door open too... You?)
If I lived alone, yes!! With Ed, you kidding!! LOL
Title: Re: Swallows hatch in Pembrokeshire kitchen (UK)
Post by: Bobbie Ireland on 09-Jul-11, 08:01:53 AM
Ya beat me to it, Donna. How amazing - but who is cleaning her kitchen?! (I would have been the mad person who kept the door open too... You?)
If I lived alone, yes!! With Ed, you kidding!! LOL
We've had swallows "prospecting" around The Shed (read: Dumping Grounds) - and Rod went and knocked out all the windows. They declined our invitation this year... obviously need fancier digs. And tidier ones too!
Title: Re: Swallows hatch in Pembrokeshire kitchen (UK)
Post by: Donna on 09-Jul-11, 08:20:43 AM
Ya beat me to it, Donna. How amazing - but who is cleaning her kitchen?! (I would have been the mad person who kept the door open too... You?)
If I lived alone, yes!! With Ed, you kidding!! LOL
We've had swallows "prospecting" around The Shed (read: Dumping Grounds) - and Rod went and knocked out all the windows. They declined our invitation this year... obviously need fancier digs. And tidier ones too!
Shed, of course, kitchen....umm I don't think so!
Title: Re: Swallows hatch in Pembrokeshire kitchen (UK)
Post by: Bobbie Ireland on 09-Jul-11, 08:26:53 AM
Ya beat me to it, Donna. How amazing - but who is cleaning her kitchen?! (I would have been the mad person who kept the door open too... You?)
If I lived alone, yes!! With Ed, you kidding!! LOL
We've had swallows "prospecting" around The Shed (read: Dumping Grounds) - and Rod went and knocked out all the windows. They declined our invitation this year... obviously need fancier digs. And tidier ones too!
Shed, of course, kitchen....umm I don't think so!
Gotta say I agree with you there... the Lady in Question has "The Look" of the Ageing Hippie - bless her!