A Mud Source

Farming activities and livestock create readily available mud for Barn Swallows, but with the decline in farming, there is less mud available at nesting sites. Barn Swallows are attracted to mud, and the bigger the puddle, the better. Below left: Video of Barn Swallow collecting mud and vegetation for its nest at a puddle we created. Below right: A mud puddle we crated for Barn Swallows; puddle is lined with lake liner and kept wet through the nesting season. Barn Swallows will not collect mud in areas surrounded by tall vegetation, so keep grass short around mud sources.