Tree Swallows are invading the Meadowlands these days and snapping up all the available housing. NJMC naturalists are erecting more nesting boxes the marshes, starting this week.
Tag Archives: Tree Swallows
Tree Swallows Are Back — and Nest Boxes Are Going Up
The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission has begun its annual nesting box program for tree swallows this week, and the beautiful iridescent-blue birds are grabbing up the boxes as soon as they are placed along the edge of wetlands.
In some instances (see photo at right), 
the birds have flown into the nesting boxes while the boxes were still on the boat.
Tree swallows are a popular bird for many people, not just for their iridescent beauty and graceful speed, but also because they love to eat insects. It has been estimated that a family of tree swallows can eat hundreds upon hundreds of midges, mosquitoes and other insects in a day.
With the help of local scout troops, families and other groups, the Meadowlands Commission has erected some 250 nesting boxes in marshes throughout the 30.4-square-mile district.
Last year, Meadowlands Commission naturalists used GPS devices to help keep track of tree-swallow activity in all of the nesting boxes.
COMING SOON: Tree Swallow Video
Click here to read Bergen Record Environmental Writer Jim O'Neill's nifty story today about the Tree Swallow Project.
"Continue reading…" for more info and pics.
LYNDHURST: Barn swallows
The tree swallows in the Meadowlands have been getting more publicity, but the barn swallows are making their presence known as well in DeKorte Park.
Walk in the parking lot and they’ll be whizzing past. Walk on the Marsh Discovery Trail or on the elevated boardwalk near the Environment Center, and they are zipping past everywhere.
In fact, they zip so fast they are next to impossible to photograph in flight.
Click "Continue Reading" below for more on barn swallows and a photo of an empty nest.
CONSERVATION: Tree swallow study
Tree swallows are thriving in the Meadowlands once again, thanks to an innovative nesting box program.
And the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission now has the data to prove it.
With a huge boost from local scout troops, families and other groups, the Meadowlands Commission has erected some 250 nesting boxes in marshes throughout the 30.4-square-mile district.
This year, with the help of 
GPS devices, the Meadowlands Commission naturalists Mike Newhouse and Gabrielle Bennett-Meany are keeping track of tree-swallow activity in all of the nesting boxes.
They found that more than 60 percent were occupied by nesting pairs, with 610 eggs laid and more than 480 nestlings successfully fledged as of July 15.
Click "Continue reading…" for more images and information.