Swallows and Migrants

Every year they migrate from parts unknown to build their nests and raise their young. Unfortunately, they had a nest under the eave of my house, right next to my covered walkway. Last year they hatched at least two sets of young. And while it was beautiful to watch the cycle of life, not only did I live in fear of a baby falling to the ground only to be pounced on by my dogs or the cat, they left unimaginable piles of poop. 

This year I decided that the area would be off-limits for swallow housing and I knocked everything down and cleaned it up. Swallows are persistent to say the least. As badly as I felt for them and their need to make a home for their young, I spent two months washing off their vain attempts to create a base for their nest; every time, apologizing and telling them the area was designated “No Nesting”.

Yesterday I noticed a flurry of swallow activity under the eave at the back of the house. Yes, there was a nest built and poop below. A swallow’s nest is a marvel to behold. They make countless trips with little dabs of mud and then weave in whatever is at hand. I have been nursing a maidenhair fern back to health and had cut off the dead fronds, leaving them on the tile floor. Those industrious little beasts had recycled those fronds into their nest and it looks almost like a lacy camouflage. 

Suddenly I thought of all of the migrants in the world and how they show up with little or nothing, if they have resources they are called ex-pats or immigrants. Then they struggle to understand why certain areas are designated “migrants not welcome”. They take our castoffs and try to make a nest for their family, all the while, wondering if they will be chased away.

I left the swallow nest under my back porch and I will happily clean up the poop.