Date: 05/01/2012

Number: 1

I have been observing a family of swallows every year for four years now. The first two years were hard...they lost some babies to crows to my horror and sadness!Some did make it though and the couple continued to return to our barn. This year, they had two broods (?) each one five babies! All ten made it. I saw both groups of babies emerge from the nest and hop along the beams above my horses stall. I watched them sleep there as a family every night, a couple of the babies in the nest but the whole family along the ledge...so precious! I saw them each take their first flights and it made me cry. There were a couple in each group that were hesitant...I actually was amazed to see both parents frantically feeding all the babies, through fledgling and beyond. They fed every single one until it left the nest for good. Watched all seven of them; and then all seven in the next set fly around the barn together as a family! I have been distraught over the fact that one of the swallows did not fly back to their winter home. Then I realized that she had three more babies...it is now September and I am hoping with all my heart that these two (or three, cannot tell yet) sweet little things make it...the days are so warm, but nights are cold. I have had a "talk" with my horse to keep them warm at night. He has actually been sleeping inside the stall and not outside like he usually does! Amazing...but I check on them several times a day as well as into the night hoping that they will all fly back to their winter home together soon.

Santa Rosa Valley, CA

Latitude: 34.2 Longitude: -119

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