>>> Does anyone have any good ideas of baffles, etc. that work? We have a post and beam type barn so I believe the snake climbed up the wooden post which is lying against the metal siding.
I'm not sure how we arrived at the equilibrium that allows our barn swallows to thrive. We have snakes in the area, and I've seen them near the barns. Last year, a big black snake lived in the woodpile about 30 feet from the barn, but, I can't really remember seeing one inside the barn. I wonder if the presence of cats discourages them? Do you have cats in your barn? My cats catch some birds, but I can't remember ever seeing one with a dead barn swallow. I don't really know - just trying to think what the difference might be. Most of our barn swallow nests are in the old barn. It was built of rough-sawed lumber, and their mud nests seem to stick well to it. They have a couple of nests in the new barn, but the smooth lumber isn't as effective at holding the nests - several nests collapsed during construction. Karen Thomas, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.8.7/829 - Release Date: 6/2/2007 5:26 PM
