Barn Swallows in flight at Mount Moreland

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Barn Swallows in Bulgaria

By Patrick Barclay

Hi Angie,

I saw this website and it's really great. I actually live in Sofia, but my wife's parents live on a farmstead near Veliko Turnovo. Barn Swallows in Bulgaria

After the icy cold winters it is such a thrill to see the Barn Swallows come back and the nest under the veranda. In fact one can reach out a touch the nests it is so close. I did take some pics but unfortunately they not clear.

Anyhow Bulgaria has very cold winters, but the spring and summer are super, a lot of storks nest on church buildings and even homes, people really love them.

I will try to get better pics of the swallows and send them next time. I am not too clued up with the different varieties but I would love to learn more.

Once we found a baby hawk with a broken wing just outside our building in Sofia, so we took it and kept it on our veranda for two months and released it near a dam about 20 kms east in the mountains.

Last summer when we went to the farm; the Barn Swallows had been nesting inside the house, in the stairway. Problem was Letti's parents had to leave the door open so they could get in and out. They caused quite a mess and flies and insects came in as well. They were banned from indoors, but it was so funny they sat on the door handle and close-by flapping and complaining the place was closed?

Anyhow they then rebuilt and nested under the veranda's roof again where they normally nested.

In the city we also have a lot of Barn Swallows, but it is not so easy to get close to them as it is on the farm, the swallows are very relaxed and feel safe there.

Most people generally love them, and believe they bring good luck, it is just awesome to sit and watch them building, hatching, and being so busy.

My wife and I are both animal, and bird lovers, we hoping to join a nature club here some time.

Next season I will try to take some more pics, and I will try to get close ups to see better.

Last spring we heard a strange sharp screeching sounds from our 11th floor apartment down in the trees? The sounds were all around and we went down to investigate; it was owls. Letti traced the sounds and then spotted them in the trees and buildings, probably dozens and dozens, very rare.

(Mind you no one ever complains about rats or mice in this part of the city.)

best regards

Patrick.