Local Church Protects Cliff Swallows

                                                               Cliff Swallow Nests on Church

 For some reason the Cliff Swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) like to build their nests on the Scotch Settlement Church, York County.  And what is even worse for the parishioners is that they much prefer to build them over the main entrance!  Every year that creates a problem for people entering and leaving the building.  This year there are about 12 nests, all built over the entrance.  Some nests are singles, some doubles and some triples.  That makes a lot of activity, birds coming and going to feed hungry chicks.  

The nest-building this year is very robust.  There is a constant chorus of chirps and warbles as adults are coming and going and young are fed or letting it known that they are hungry.  The birds do not seem to be inhibited by the people of the church.  

                                             Cliff Swallow Adult About to Leave Nest

                                                Cliff Swallow Dropping Fecal Matter From Nest

The people of the church, however, do have a problem with the birds, or rather, their droppings.  As the nests became occupied in the spring the problem soon became evident.  Bird droppings began to appear on the carpeted steps to the church and the people had to quickly duck as they entered or left the building. An earlier attempt to dissuade the birds from building in that location, the hanging of CDs in the preferred areas, had failed.  The birds just built right among the CDS, even incorporating some of them into the mud of the nests.  

So, what to do?  The church people used a simple solution.  They turned the top step on its side in order to prevent the buildup of fecal matter on the carpet.  Then they roped off the front steps and asked the church goers to enter and leave by another door!  Bravo to the Scotch Settlement Church for putting the well-being of the birds ahead of their convenience!  After all, the birds are God's creatures too.  See below for how they altered their front door.

                                 Front Door of Scotch Settlement Church - Temporary Arrangement

 The bird enthusiasts and environmentalists in the area are happy.  Many thanks to the people of the Scotch Settlement Church for putting their concerns for the birds into action.  They have set a good example of care for the environment and its creatures.  

                                                    Scotch Settlement Church, York County