Reading Richard's post about the disappearance of cliff swallow nests in the concrete 
gazebo at Hoover has raised some questions. I usually look for balance in the management 
of wildlife, on my farm and in my home state, so don't get me wrong. 

If a migratory bird, supposedly protected by international treaty, can have its nests 
destroyed, apparently without a known explanation, what is one to think?

Were these birds considered a nuisance?

Who administrates the structure in question? Has anyone asked them?

Sometime in recent months we have been admonished that mere possession of birds' nests, 
even old nests not likely to be reused, is not legal, except by credentialed educational or 
academic personnel. Is wanton destruction of such nests allowed, by vandals, maintenance 
people, or officials?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Two years ago I looked up to see who was emitting a scratchy screech (or maybe it was a 
screechy scratch) in the rafters of our largest barn. Personally, I was delighted to find that 
cliff swallows were building two nests, borrowing mud from one of the "dust" wallows 
excavated by our llamas. Unfortunately, it stopped raining the second week of June, the 
mud source dried up, and the nest building was never concluded. But they were at the time 
a new "yard" bird for our farm.

Delightful animals, well worthy of our stewardship!

Bob Evans
Geologist, etc.
Hopewell Township, Muskingum County, DeLorme 70A1
(currently working in southern California, and missing all the action at home)

PS: Jane reports the first hummingbird of the season was checking out the feeders today.

______________________________________________________________________

Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society.
Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list.
Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/.

You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at:
http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS
Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]