Nestlings

Feeding time at one of the bird boxes by the lake. Tree swallows come back every year to nest in these boxes. They feed on insects they catch whilst swooping low over the water. Presumably feeding the chicks on the same diet.

I often wonder what ratio of fly time to catch time is productive? That is, how much energy do they get from an insect versus the energy expended in flight? And, do they still feed themselves whilst feeding their young? If not, how much weight do they lose. Wish I knew a biologist.

I noticed house sparrows on the neighbouring box. House sparrows are invasive and will kill swallows, chicks, eggs, the lot and steal their nests. They will have to go.