The importance of finding a good site for your project:
Due to chronic shortages of cavities Tree Swallows will try to nest in boxes put in
dangerous places, where they face predation or nest competition.  You don't want to
attract them to sites like that!  You want to give them a project where they can
reproduce unharmed, so finding the right site is essential.  You know their basic
requirements.  Now you can start searching for a project site that meets their needs.

Try to find sites that:
  • Are near a good Tree Swallow food supply, i.e., a buggy wetland.
  • Are wide open for easy swallow flight and easy viewing for you.
  • Are large enough to accommodate your boxes
  • Allow box placement that minimizes competition from other species.
  • Allow box placement away from predator travel lanes.
  • Are at a convenient distance from your home.

The very best sites are large open fields in rural areas.  Fields near wetlands are
preferred, but not absolutely necessary.  Project fields should be large enough so
swallow boxes can be clustered out in the middle, away from houses, barns, woods,
hedgerows, and water edges (see example below).

Now It might seem that putting swallow boxes way out in the open makes them
vulnerable, but the opposite is true.  Most songbirds hide in dense vegetation when
danger approaches, but not Tree Swallows.  They rely on their flying ability to get
away.  Nest sites that are well out in the open allow the swallows to spot incoming
danger at a distance.  Plus the worst predators of Tree Swallow nests hunt along
edges of waterways, shores, woods and hedgerows, and Tree Swallows' worst cavity
competitors prefer boxes located near human dwellings or in shrubby areas.  Placing
boxes out in open fields greatly reduces these risks.  So, to repeat, look for large
open fields far from buildings when scouting for potential project sites.  Avoid fields
used by livestock and ones that may be treated with pesticides or herbicides.



















Our 10 box project is in the middle of the field below, near the marshes and streams
of the Braddock Bay Fish and Wildlife Management Area of upstate New York.  The
boxes visible show the 100 foot Tree Swallow box spacing.












Get permission:
You may be lucky and have a great location on your own property.  If you don't you'll
need to get permission to erect boxes.  Often, the best potential locations are on
public lands overseen by government natural resource personnel, or on land managed
by private conservation or sporting groups.  These folks may be happy to let you put
nest boxes up.  Private landowners, too, may agree to let you use their land, and may
help if invited.  In every case you must ask, so be prepared to explain what you
intend to do and why.

















Click here for Next Step: Building Boxes.







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Learn About Birds at Tree Swallow Nest Box Projects
Finding a Good Site
Lake
Marsh
Pond
Swallow Box Grid
Open Field
Shrubs
Farm
Woods
Woods
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