Wisconsin Ornithology: Barn Swallow Traditional Cache
Hidden : 11/14/2013
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:


Wisconsin Ornithology

This series highlights several of my favorite birds, all of which can be found in Wisconsin. I have found all of the birds included in the series (with one exception). Each cache is somehow related to the highlighted bird. In many cases you will find hints to finding the cache in the information provided about each bird. Each cache is hidden in roughly the environment the bird can be found. None of the caches are hidden in a nesting box or a fake nest (with one exception of a very non-standard nest), so if you find a nest or nesting box—please leave it alone it has nothing to do with the cache.

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Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica )

One of my summer jobs during high school and college involved mowing a number of lawns and fields, including a baseball field. Almost invariably as I mowed a “squadron” of swallows would appear and clear the skies of flying insects. After a couple of minutes this bird “air force” would have cleared the skies of “bogies” and departed as quickly as it came. In another 20 minutes or so they would make a repeat performance. I always enjoyed watching these incredible aerial acrobats as they made steep dives, tight banked turns, and short rapid climbs. These aerial antics would frequently bring them very close to my head. Initially these close encounters made me nervous, however, I soon learned to trust the ability of these skilled fliers.

Originally Barn Swallows nested in caves, however, today they almost exclusively nest on manmade structures such as under bridges, wharves, eaves, in sheds, stables, and of course in barns. While human activity frequently destroys habit for many animals and birds, human developments have created an almost ideal environment for the Barn Swallow. Throughout North American large tracks of woods were cleared creating the open fields that the swallows love. In addition, many previously open areas lacked caves and other suitable nesting locations now have prefect manmade nesting spots. Similar conditions around the world have resulted in expansion of the size and range of the Barn Swallow population. In fact, Barn Swallows are at least temporary residents of most regions of the world. They breed across the northern hemisphere in the summer and migrate to the southern hemisphere during the winter.

In general, humans and Barn Swallow have worked out an agreeable arrangement--humans supply the barns and other nesting opportunities and the Barn Swallow keep the flying insect population down. Surprisingly the Barn Swallows appear to have also worked out a mutually beneficial arrangement with Ospreys. Barn Swallows will frequently build their nest below the nest of the fish eating Osprey. The Osprey will then provide protection for the Barn Swallow from potential predators. In turn the Osprey are warned of potential predators from the calls of the Barn Swallows. The easy relationship between humans and Barn Swallows was not always the case. Concern over the number of Barn Swallows killed to make ladies hats in the 1800s led to the founding of the National Audubon Society.


The Geocache Notification Form has been submitted to and cache placement has been approved by Brad Bates, Badger State Trail Manager of the Wisconsin DNR. Geocaches placed on Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource managed lands require permission by means of a notification form. Please print out a paper copy of the notification form, fill in all required information, then submit it to the land manager. The DNR Notification form and land manager information can be obtained at: http://www.wi-geocaching.com/hiding

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Additional Hints (No hints available.)



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