The New Tenants

Day 259: The House of Chirp hadn't been vacant for more than four or five days when prospective new tenants began requesting walk-throughs. It rented out quite quickly, and I suspect that it's a renewal of the former lease. If you look closely at the photo, you will see a third bird inside the main apartment.

Young swallows are fed on the wing for some time after they fledge. Could the third bird be one of the pair's offspring? That's one theory. Another possibility is that a third adult has been engaged as a "nest-helper," an occupation seen more frequently in crows and ravens. The nest-helper is usually a first-year adult who is being schooled in the art of chick-rearing, starting with nest construction and concluding with eventual flight lessons. The nest helper also provides food for the hatchlings, giving the parents a break and time to fulfill their own dietary needs.

This event marks the second time the House of Chirp has held a second clutch; the first was last year. Several factors might be in play in the magic equation: climate change, weather, availability of food among them. In any event, I may get to see another crop of little Tree Swallow "gilligans" take wing in a month or so.