Each summer we have several nests of barn swallows.
Late last week I watched the first of the barn swallows fly across the pasture. This morning I had the first evidence that housekeeping has started.
One of the oldest/biggest nests is perched on top of the flood light over the feed room in the barn.
![feed_room flood light over the feed room](http://blackdogandmagpie.net/shoes/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/big_feed.jpg)
As you can see it’s a tight fit.
![close_light here's the nest perched on top of the light fizture](http://blackdogandmagpie.net/shoes/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/close_light.jpg)
This morning I found this little mess on the floor directly underneath the nest. It’s made up of hay loosely joined with mud and a plush lining of chicken feathers.
![nest2 barn swallow nest](http://blackdogandmagpie.net/shoes/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/nest2-400x301.jpg)
![nest1 chicken feathers used to line the nest](http://blackdogandmagpie.net/shoes/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/nest1-400x314.jpg)
Usually they just build a new layer on top of last years nest. I suspect this last top layer had to be evicted because there is no more room to build up.
We should see the females arrive soon.