5 replies to this topic

[Grandpa577]

A Northern Rough-winged Swallow but what does it have in its mouth? At the inlet of Milburn Pond a concrete bulkhead was built which connects to an man-made underground drain? The sides of the bulkhead under the concrete lip appear to be metal with 4 inch holes about 8 inches from the top and 3 feet above water level. The pair of NRWS fly into the hole every five minutes and quickly exit. At first, I though they had built a nest in the holes and were feeding. It seems when they come out of the hole they have something in their mouths that they didn't have going in. So the feeding idea doesn't fit. Any ideas?


Northern_Rough-winged_Swallow_1807n by Grandpa577, on Flickr

[hawkhenries]

Really searching the depths of my memory or should I say lack of memory~

Don't some birds carry the waste of the babies out of the nest? Could it be that?

[ColoTomo]

Some type of cocoon ?

[BigSkyKen]

Could it be a cat-faced spider? The body is large (about the size of a dime) and can be very light colored.

[hbvol]

It's a fecal sac. Just keeping the nest as clean as possible. It will likely be dropped at a spot far from they nest to discourage both predators and flies.

[Grandpa577]

It's a fecal sac. Just keeping the nest as clean as possible. It will likely be dropped at a spot far from they nest to discourage both predators and flies.

I went back today and confirmed that food in the form of insects was being taken into the cavity. So this makes sense. Thanks, all.