A pair of Red-rumped Swallows hovered low above our heads before descending to the wet shore of the Percolation Tank, on a morning visit there, last week. Though they initially appeared nervous, readily taking off at the slightest movement, within minutes they got used to our presence.
Over the twelve minutes, they landed seven times at the same wet patch. With its tail cocked, the bird that I observed pecked at the mud some twenty times in the 30-second period it was there and carried the mud in its beak to build its nest not too far away.
I have noticed these birds nesting in the valley in the early part of the year after rains have commenced and nests are placed on the underside of culverts or in buildings. There was a pause in the rains after the initial spell in June and early July this year. With some rains coming our way last week, these swallows must have decided to resume nesting and raise a brood.
- Santharam
19 October 2021