Put a fake snake around where they want to be, one of those wood or rubber things you get in curio shops.

Update...The tree swallows have returned here....birdhouses now hanging, already being inspected by the little beauties. Cindy & I quite happy. Evidently, they're just late this year. Probably following insect hatches as they journey north...:D

Paul, I have some bad news for you and Cindy.

Migratory birds are generally declining over North America, for various reasons.

More on tree Swallows:
http://www.wbu.com/chipperwoods/photos/treeswallow.htm


RooRoo - You need to change their habitat - over your door - so they will nest somewhere else. You DO want them on your property - unless you enjoy being bitten by mosquitos.

Paul is also correct re the serious penalties and possible [but not likely] term in a federal prison for harming migratory birds - including swallows. A friend of mine got gigged for just netting birds (and then banding and releasing them for hiw research). He did not have the right permits and told FWS to "Back off Buddy, I'm a scientist" when they nabbed him.

A fun movie line, but the wrong answer. He is still recovering from his defense attorney fees. They did not imprison him, but put him n the stocks (public shaming before all his colleagues). Dunno if they fined him. He did NOT kill any birds.

Mine are missing this year. Fine with me. They are fun to see but the mess the make is horrible. I hate having to clean all the mud up with the powerwasher. They were not fooled by the plastic owl or the snakes. Dammit.

Love watching the barn swallows around here. They are the F15's of the bird world. When I'm mowing my lawn they swoop, dive bomb all around the mower as I'm displacing insects. Really cool to watch.
Now what ever happened to the rare female swallow? ;)

I think they were replaced by the more common "Spitz".

Right now, it seems that "Hootie" is working. Swallows flying around, but no new mud.

RWebb, don't worry. their habitat will be DRASTICALLY changed if they don't choose to relocate. This "ain't no housin' project"....And yes, I have provided beautiful housing for the Purple Martins who work in the airspace around my yard. I choose to discriminate.;)

- you need a Robo-Owl!

Google it...