I was looking at bridges that cross over Twin Creek in Warren and Montgomery Counties. The bridges are about 150 long and have trees and shrubs right up to the water's edge. I have observed Cliff Swallows nesting on the Lion Bridge (2nd St.) in Franklin and the SR 4 Bridge in Middletown. These two bridges bracket the confluence of Twin Creek at the Great Miami River. There is also one active railroad track that crosses the Great Miami River between these bridges. I have not found any swallow nests on bridges over Twin Creek or the railroad bridge over the river. Now to my questions: 1) Has anyone observed Cliff Swallow nests on short bridges such as these? 2) Has anyone observed Cliff Swallow nests on active railroad bridges?
My theory is that the Cliff Swallows are not nesting on the structures because: 1) they like a more open approach to the nests, 2) They need more open areas for their aerial food catching, 3) there's too much vibration on the railroad tracks that would crumble their nests.
Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Please consider joining our Society, at www.ohiobirds.org/site/membership.php. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list.
You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: listserv.miamioh.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: <listowner...>
