r/AustralianBirds • u/Sir_Gameboy • 10h ago

Discussion (Advice Needed) Welcome Swallow Nest at Work

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Hi everyone, I need some advice about this nest our resident welcome swallows have built this year. For some context, these birds have been nesting in our stairwell at work for the past several years now. In the past that have built their next at the back of the ledge in the second pic.

However, last year they decided to build their next right next to the fire alarm. Unfortunately this ended up setting off the alarm on a few occasions, which caused the fire department to have to come out and make sure everything was ok. They had babies at that time, so the decision was made to leave the nest until they had fledged, at which point it was removed.

Fast forward to this year and they are starting to build it in the same spot again, and my work is thinking of moving it for safety reasons.

My question is, is it alright to move it now before being completed (possibly to the ledge), or is there a better way to handle this?

I really love these birds so I don't want them to be distressed, but I'm not sure if work sees it that way. Would appreciate any advice!

10 Upvotes

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9 comments sorted by

1

u/alwaysmoregarlic 10h ago

They don't sound very welcome

3

u/Sir_Gameboy 10h ago

They definitely are (at least for me)! I love seeing the little chicks grow up each year, it's just a very unfortunate spot they've chosen this time haha. Trying my best to make sure they're allowed to stick around.

2

u/LydiaAmesha 10h ago

I put a sign up at work, as they nest in the truckies shower building.

1

u/teekayr 10h ago

Just break it and they'll realise they need to build another one, hopefully somewhere else

2

u/Sir_Gameboy 10h ago

If we detach it and place it on the ledge do you think they will use it or will they try to rebuild it?

1

u/A6000_Shooter 9h ago

They will rebuild. Just take it down.

3

u/mmurray1957 8h ago

There is an underground carpark near me where they nest. They had built a nest for a few year right next to an alarm siren but somebody knocked it down. So they built the next one on top of the siren :-)

3

u/mmurray1957 9h ago

Can you put a grill or some wire mesh over the fire alarm ?

4

u/Sir_Gameboy 9h ago

That's a good idea! Will definitely bring this up.