For the past three springs, an Eastern Phoebe has built a beautiful nest in
the bottom of my bank barn. About two weeks later, the newly arriving Barn
Swallows immediately chase her out of "their barn". Although the phoebe
probably finds another place to nest, I do feel very sorry for her.

This year after being chased away from the front of the barn, the phoebe
made another nest near the rear door. The Barn Swallows do not seem to care
for the rear entrance and the phoebe was left to nest in peace. 

Last week the chicks were barely visible as bits of fuzz over the top of the
nest. By the middle of this week, it seemed impossible that the all four
chicks could still fit in the nest, let alone have room to grow bigger.

This morning the phoebe chicks fledged. I arrived to find the last fledgling
perched on a bottom fence rail. Both parents were calling and encouraging it
fly to safety, but it would not budge. Finally after about 15 minutes, the
fledgling launched itself nearly vertically into a big tree 25' off the
ground: a truly impressive feat.

I am so proud of my persistent phoebes!

Felicia Lovelett
Sykesville, MD