Things you need to know about SWALLOWS!

Swallows are a much loved sign of the arrival of spring, but how much do yo actually know about then? This video covers everything from where swallows migrate to, how long swallows live, if swallows mate for life, how many eggs swallows lay and pretty much everything else you could want to know about them.
I write all the scripts used in these videos. it was too big for the video description but please get in touch f you would like to see it.
#birds #nature #wildlife
Some of the footage and images used in this video was obtained using creative commons licences. The originals can be found at:
• Video
• Barn Swallows
• Barn Swallows Chirping...
• Hirondelle rustique (H...
• Just enjoy watching cu...
• Angry Swallows
• Barn Swallows Raising ...
• Barn Swallows Gatherin...
• Barn swallows - Landsv...
• boerenzwaluw Hirundo r...
• Hirondelle rustique (H...
• Compost Farming Tellus...
• Mixed Flock of Swallow...
• Swallows Nesting And F...
• Swallow Fledglings Lin...
• Swallow Chicks growing...
• Barn swallow and Sand ...
• Swallows, Parent & Fle...
• Video
• Swallow Nest - imminen...
• Ples lastavica - Swall...
• Swallows building nest 1
• Young Swallows Perchin...
eggs: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
newborn chick:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Thumbnail: © Copyright Mike Pennington and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

[@frro28]

I am from South Africa. I Have a swallow's nest under the roof of my house's front entrance that has been there since 1993. It has been occupied every year since. Always love to see the gatherings before they leave every winter. One of the most precious birds in my opinion.

[@JohnzzzView]

This is very interesting to know that they are laying their different sets of offspring over such a large distance apart. Amazing creatures.

[@DudeOneThree]

Some birds will pass nests on to younger nesters.

[@Joemamma664]

You might get some from Denmark.. Maybe even the ones that live where i do

[@michaelp761]

These are the best birds, such a joy to see. I have seen a distinct decline in their numbers over the years, fewer nesting sites available. Luckily we have swallows nesting virtually every year in the barn.👍

[@damienhughes3168]

I have to agree with you, ive seen a decline in numbers here in County Armagh,

[@hotelsierra86]

For 40 years we have had swallows nesting in our barn. First there were 5 pairs,after a few years there were 4 pairs…now we are down to one pair. What will next year bring?

[@AShotOfWildlife]

@hotelsierra86 What did this year bring? I agree, their numbers are definitely declining here too.

[@nickrider5220]

When the first Swallows arrive in spring, with their cheery song, it almost brings a lump to my throat - wonderful little birds ❤ It's the males that sing and they have longer tails compared with the females. Love the Swallows, Swifts and Martin's, signalling that summer's coming and just seem to be happy flying, quickly around ! Could you do one on the swift ? their life is even more remarkable if anything.

[@f-godz3342]

Blows my mind that young swifts might not land for 2/3 years. Astonishing creatures.

[@rebeccaradford7982]

Well Said

[@shiva72945]

@@f-godz3342 Only the swift do this, which are not real swallows. They do l;and though, I once had a young one in my shoe on the beach.

[@rryanreid]

Where are they this year?

[@jimmybirtles3800]

We live in Arboleas, Andalucia and we have lots of Swallows that come back every year. They are quite tame in our garden and sit next to us.

[@donnaml8776]

I’m in Upstate New York, USA. This area used to be all farm land, but not as much anymore, but it’s still beautiful. I’m really enjoying getting to see wild life in the UK. I’ve been to parts of England and Wales. The UK is amazing. While there we went to a pub, it was a lot of fun, they are so different from anything we have here in the States. But that was a long time ago, back in 1990. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@clive373]

we rescued dozens of swallows when I worked on a boat in the N Sea. They were exhausted, and landed at our feet.

[@General_Confusion]

Of coarse they don't overwinter at the bottom of ponds, it would be too crowded with all the House Martins down there.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Hahah, thats a fair point... and the swifts!

[@celestenova777]

Such beautiful little birds. I see them most days flying over my house and love to see them all lined up on a cable wire. Thanks for vid.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you :)

[@johnniec9097]

For the past twenty years we have seen swallows return to our outhouses on our property in Cambridgeshire. They have thrived and this year have returned and as many as ten nesting rearing two clutches too date . We have seen a population growth in their numbers returning , giving hours of pleasure watching the antics of these little feathered bundles of joy .

[@MrMangoman48]

This beautiful little bird every year makes their nest inside in our house we love them they very welcome very sweet little bird

[@royjohnson9043]

Do they leave on their own?

[@teresacrowley4076]

I just love to see the swallows return every year. Thanks Liam for yet another informative video!

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you. I agree, one of my favourite times of year and a sign that summer is on its way!

[@macw2234]

I live in the south of the Netherlands. I sit and watch the swallows hunting among the houses. High speed! How they don't fly into obstacles beats me

[@AShotOfWildlife]

They're remarkably agile in the sky!

[@jpronan8757]

According to Monty Python, Swallows can carry coconut into the UK.

[@mbarker1958]

I have a swallow's nest just above my front door on a second-floor apartment in Westward Ho! They have entertained me throughout this year. I think they have produced 2 or 3 broods. Great work again Liam!

[@chickonasportbike598]

I’m a third floor apartment in Tennessee and there’s a family of them that built a nest on the exit sign by my neighbors door. She scared of them but they don’t bother anyone and they’re beautiful to watch flying! They pressure washed our steps today and my downstairs neighbor said they left the nest alone. Had they knocked it down, I’d need bail money! Momma is sitting on the eggs now. ❤

[@Nooooahhh]

@@chickonasportbike598I have had a nest above my porch on a light for nearly 3 years now in Mississippi. 2 swallows come every year, and they are definitely cool to watch. They look at me everytime I walk out the door. I think it’s the same 2 coming back every year but I’m not sure.

[@chickonasportbike598]

@@Nooooahhh I left my cats fur, she’s a Maine Coon, outside on the balcony in the morning one day and it was gone by the afternoon so I’m hoping that some bird got it. I left last night for work and mom was sitting on the eggs also watching me so I just wished her a nice evening and went down the stairs. 😊

[@jillatherton4660]

Bottoms of ponds, LOL.

[@kurkelantila4912]

Lovely video. Barn swallows came to our yard (Siikajoki, Finland) at the beginning of May and their nesting was successful. One pair of swallows nested above our bedroom. Last night four chicks left their nest.❤️

[@sarahboakes6392]

One of my favourite birds. We were told as little children they bring the summer in ♥️

[@alejandrayalanbowman367]

Here in Spain, we have lots of house martins which people mistake for swallows. They usually arrive on or about St Patrick's day but their departure is often caused by hot dry weather in summer reducing the number of flying insects.

[@mroldnewbie]

To be fair, in some Euro languages they are both called swallow. For example, in German they are both schwalbe, in French they are both Hirondelle. Since the family is often called the swallow family, it's pretty fair to consider the housemartin as a kind of swallow.

[@salmonidae3667]

Living in North America, it's weird seeing all the barn swallows with such pure-white underparts in this video! The subspecies here has an orangey underpart so I am much used to that!

[@paulconnor4926]

This evening I enjoyed an aerial spectacular, watching swallows swoop and glide along the rice fields at sunset. Snatching anything unlucky enough to still be airborne. Liam, long story short. Last week I saw a Muntjac deer cross in front of me just up the road, at first I thought it was a baby Sika but it was all wrong. After a spot of googling species I ended up on your channel. I am currently living in the sticks, in rural Japan surrounded by rice fields, old Oji sans and interesting nature. Your channel is a nice touch of familiarity and I'm really enjoying the videos. Thanks.

[@theotheseaeagle]

I have swallows nesting in my stable (not really a stable since we don’t have any horses, it’s basically just a storage shed at this point) and we’ve found old swallow nests on the walls and on the beams. They seem to be quite old as most of them have crumbled and fallen apart, but I think one or two could still be being used (I hope).

[@AShotOfWildlife]

I know they are still nesting near here so some may still be in use, depending where abouts you are based.

[@angelalayton1655]

Such pretty little birds with lovely colours, thanks Liam for another great video

[@skathwoelya2935]

Love this. We used to have house martins every year in an outbuilding in Cornwall. Thanks for another great video, Liam. 😊

[@VanderlyndenJengold]

When I was a little boy every year I'd watch the Swallows outside my window flying about or sitting on the telephone wire as they raised another clutch in my neighbour's porch. For years I did this until my neighbours enclosed their porch to my enormous disapproval! I thought it a great privilege that these birds travelled many thousands of miles to that same place every year.

[@jeffallinson8089]

Such gorgeous little birds but on the wing I can never tell the difference between Swallows and Swifts!!

[@jenniferbate9682]

I love swallows and swifts too. X

[@animallover19581]

Here in Ireland, numbers of swallows seem to be low this year. Always love to see the Swallow and Cuckoo arrive annually.. Harbingers of long warm days ahead. Thanks for your videos. 👍👍

[@Calvin.The.Unfindable]

that was an info packed video, i have always found these little birds so fascinating. another awesome video, as always, cheers dude.

[@NaturallyCuriousUK]

Although we usually just call this species (Hirundo rustica) the swallow, it is a little more accurate to refer to it as the Barn Swallow. Lovely bird and always a treat to see, especially in good numbers late summer, or at the nest. 👍🙂👍

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Yes indeed. I was going to calm them barn swallows in the title, but youtube being what it is, that wouldn't be as clickable. Especially as most common folk only know the swallow bit.

[@gowersponger1]

That was awesome fair play to you mate big thumbs up 👍

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you!

[@mazoomska]

Thank you as always for this lovely video Liam !

[@jenniferbate9682]

Thank you Liam. I love your wonderful programmes x👏👏👏👏

[@bigteno4597]

Enjoyed this!! Always interesting and informative. Thank you for your efforts.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you. I appreciate your support!

[@thelikesofus324]

Thank you, great video !!

[@simondo1027]

Thanks Liam. Really good video. I really enjoy hearing the facts about all animals.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Cheers Simondo. I have a lot of upcoming videos so stay tuned for those.

[@davidbamford4721]

They over-winter here in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. There were many flying around the marina where I kept my yacht.

[@helengaley1256]

There's half the amount than there was 15 years ago that come to the horse yard every year were i work on the Wirral . Its sad but a joy to see the ones that do arrive in spring.

[@akita101]

I LOVE this little planes of a birds❤❤❤

[@yurigabrilovich2190]

Excellent

[@tinygrim]

I love swallows and their nests. Some people don't like them 😢 on like buildings. The one's in Minnesota, USA..are blue black looking. lovely birds. ❤❤

[@AShotOfWildlife]

I would understand if the birds did any damage but they dont, its such a shame that some people are so intolerant of a harmless bird that is struggling to survive.

[@kfing1]

Love these little guys. They are good little travellers, have seen them in south island of NZ and Far North Queensland, Australia

[@onair141]

There is something so beautiful about this!

[@mufflertuesday]

They nest in a shed at my work. I've been so fascinated watching them fly around and sing their pretty songs. They definitely didn't like when the tree swallows showed up! One of the coolest battles I've ever seen!!

[@angelascott2959]

Thank you very interesting I love them but I love all birds

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you!

[@alisonreeder1587]

Love these videos. So easy to watch

[@WarrenPeace007]

Love this channel X

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks Warren.

[@patrickhiggins3582]

the swallow bird is a sweet bird,

[@janetturner7489]

It's worth noting that one reason there aren't as many of these stunning birds is because they fall prey to people in Malta shooting them down, they think it is a sport but I say a sick sport. Sad. I've seen a few martins about. Not seen any nesting ones though.

[@jayleigh4642]

Fabulous…. So interesting thank you 😊

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Cheers Jay

[@globeforever9777]

When living on a small farm I was always wary of going into the farm buildings (low doorways) you had to bow your head because the swallows came out those doorways like kamikaze pilots with no fear.

[@hmp01]

I just went to my grandparent's house, the Swallows made a nest in the shed right next to the home cow we call "lepa" which means "pretty". :) they toled me Swallows come there for the past 3 years and make a nest right above the cow in the shed :)

[@raymondpenalver7095]

As always learnt so much new information from watching your video, thanks 😊

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks. That's the plan so I'm glad it's working.

[@briansparks8528]

Here in Australia we have the Welcome swallow which migrates from the southern states to the sub tropical areas in winter then most of them go back in spring but a few do remain and help to control the mosquito population and other flying insects

[@Anubis78250]

I think these birds are a lot smarter than people give them credit for. Also if you whistle songs to them they will gather and listen. They have several nests around our truck docks, just recently one of the nests with 5 babies fell during a storm. When I showed up and saw what had happened the mother bird kept flying down to the babies huddled on the concrete and chirping at me, then flying up to an unused nest and chirping rinse/repeat. I got the distinct impression that she was asking me to put the babies in the other nest. Unfortunately there was no way for me to reach it, but I did nestle them into a corner ledge with what remained of the nest and she went right back to feeding them. For several days when I showed up I would find a couple had fallen down. They were still too young to fly. Moma bird would circle around me chirping, then land next the baby and chirp at me. When I tried to pick them up they would start flapping and running with moma bird clearly demonstrating how to take off right beside them. They'd get tired and stop, she'd give them a minute, then start chirping at me again once they caught their breath. This bird was smart enough to use me as motivation to try to get her babies flying. Eventually they'd get tuckered out and stop running from me, I'd tuck them back into their ledge, and she'd go back to feeding them. Just today they're all up and flying around practicing their zooms and loops. I was so bummed when that nest fell thinking they were all doomed, that she would abandon them or the opossum family in the area would have a big meal that night.

[@ljubalozica665]

Hi Leam and Anubis 78250 I gave rescued 2 swallows. Falen out of nest, there were several more and managed to fly to a Tree. These 2 kept faling down and we were warried they would be esten by cats or the would die😥so raken them home. But they Are not eating. No, nothing. Just think they will pribably parish if i dont get something in their beack which is not responding to any food. Can you sugest what i can do? Ive had them for about 17 hrs. Need answer soon Please.

[@PeterCrawford-kf3gn]

Another great vid 😊

[@georgegonzalez2066]

Thanks for the informative video. Swallows built a nest in our porch. Four babies, already flew away. Lots of swallows around here, 40 miles north of Dallas, Texas.

[@SGOV86]

Besides the birds of prey the swallow birds are my favorite group of birds.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

I look forward to when they come back to the UK in the spring.

[@gingerninjawhinger9986]

Another great and informative video, Liam. I didn't know that solitary males will kill another's young just to mate with the mother. 👍

[@stiofanocathmhaoil2318]

Many thanks Liam!!

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you. Sorry for the delay, I am currently trying to catch up on older comments :)

[@arianefr78]

I live in the south of France and have some swallows that decided to nest inside my garage, (as I'd been leaving the back door of the garage open for my chickens), there are 4 chicks that are 7 days old, I saw them feed one chick a huge dragonfly. Now I have to get up at the crack of dawn each day to open the back door to let them out...

[@-xirx-]

Magical birds. It always cheers me to see them

[@cara1067]

Very good video. Thank you.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you

[@AnandRaj-gt5pg]

Bye 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢​@@AShotOfWildlife

[@timquick1045]

Love these type of birds !

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks

[@martin9711]

Where we live , swallows came every year but never nested. I kept intending to put up a box to tempt them to nest left to the last moment as usual, I hurriedly made and put up a box the year before last as they swooped the skies above me. But they were not interested , to exposed. I then realised they need a ledge rather than a box So I moved the box to a more covered area and put a piece of wood on top to form a ledge. Can’t tell you the joy when they took to it . Now in our third year of enjoying summer with them.

[@andalltheangelssay212]

thankyou x

[@picklesgherkin24]

Amazing

[@kjetilmedhus7363]

Wonderful birds, and awesome flyers. I have a spot near my house where I can stand underneath a few huge trees, and where the swallows will circle only inches away and around me when they search for insects. Totally awesome, just standing there still, surrounded by 15-20 swallows, for 5-10 minutes

[@RHR-221b]

🎯😎

[@BanjoPixelSnack]

The swallows come to my barn every year. This year they had a third batch of chicks late - around the 1st Sept. I noticed the three chicks on the ground under the nest. Two were dead. One was alive and I put him back in but the next morning he was on the ground again, barely alive. No adults to be seen. I thought he would definitely be dead the next day if I put him back again so I took him home and have been feeding him baby bird formula. A few days later the flock left the barn and they are nowhere to be seen so I assume they’ve migrated. It’s mid Sept which is when they normally leave. Every year there seems to be at least one batch of chicks that all either fall out of the nest and die or are killed. It only ever happens with one particular nest which they have built right up against a steel sheet roof of my old hay shed. This summer has been so so hot, I wonder if the babies get too hot and refuse to feed so the parents throw them from the nest? They make nest in other areas around my buildings and it’s only ever the steel roof one where they are killed en masse. Anyway, I now have a baby swallow who I’ve been feeding for five days now. He’s doing very well. Feeding every 30 mins for 12 hours a day on high protein insectivore bird formula. I don’t know if he’ll make it. I’m pretty sure he won’t make it in the wild now as he’s become tame surprisingly fast (which wasn’t my intention). I was hoping his flock would stay long enough for me to return him but they haven’t. Just going to do my best for him.

[@cmott8111]

Hi Liam. Thank you for another great video. Why don't migratory birds have 2 breeding seasons? Also are there any birds that breed in the southern hemisphere but overwinter in the North?

[@fionasaunders7646]

Lovely video,I live in Zimbabwe and my parents when they were alive went back to live in Scotland, my father would write and tell me the swallows had arrived in Aberdeenshire and I would do the same when they started arriving back here on neighboring farm lands. A joyful sight out walking the dogs to see them dive bombing each other Excellent vidios

[@AShotOfWildlife]

That's great. I would one day like to follow their migration route and film the wildlife and scenery they encounter along the way.

[@clivemortimore8203]

We have swallows nesting in our stables. Last year every time they laid their eggs the magpies got in the stables and had the eggs. This year we have hung CDs from the over hang of the roof, all sorts of things near the stables that flap and flutter and plastic crows and magpies hung as if dead. It has worked we had two clutches fledged quite early on from two of the three stables. In the third they had chicks much later, they were almost ready to fledge. Sadly the very hot weather was too much for them and they died. The pair in the middle stable had a second clutch and they thankfully survived.

[@oceanfloor258]

Seen very few this year in Ireland. Swifts and Martins even Cuckoos seem to be less also.

[@daisydupre4873]

I just love Swallows since we built our house Swallows have come every spring and have seen baby Swallows born on a nest under the front porch.

[@asinthedaysofnoahandlot4632]

Was gping to check if you had a swallow video then this pops up sweet

[@jasonantigua6825]

I’m in the South East of England and haven’t seen Swallow’s in a long time!

[@samsavojbolagi5513]

something so different about Swallows, they look so beautiful, small but travel the world!

[@aspadeaspade7163]

Amazing little birds and if warmer Winters saves them making that treacherous journey then bring it on.

[@bird.m]

what a nice❤👍

[@user-sm6qu2yh4w]

Love

[@denisenadeau5243]

wow

[@grizzlytasbear9716]

My pair have just turned up here in Tasmania Australia thinking I'll build them a bird house now lol 3 years in a row

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Ours have gone for the year now (well most of them anyway). I have never heard of them using a nest box, but it could be worth putting some angles shelves under the gutters of your house as that may work. Good luck!

[@blizzardgumtree5012]

Glad to see you have barn swallows in Australia, I make platforms and shelters for mine so the nests don't break off and fall to the ground.

[@blxtothis]

I’ve never, ever in my 73 years, seen a swallow perched, only seen them wheeling and diving, in silhouette, while flying. In suburban South London, we see hordes of Swifts and House Martins too but again mostly when they are airborne.

[@paulannable3734]

I despair at the loss of these wonderful birds. I’ve hardly seen any this year.

[@solcasared]

Here in west Norfolk there been Very few housemartins swallows or Swiss it’s not been a good summer

[@debbiesunlight7047]

Just found your ur channel. So excited My garden is amongst woodland trees on the edge of conservation heathland and I video all my guests. Ravens Crows jays owls blackbirds blue tits goldfinches robins foxes squirrels sparrows nuthatch owls thrushes different types of pigeons grass snakes long worms ( adders (not in garden ) never rats as I assume they get eaten by every one else. Poor rats. X

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you so much and a belated welcome to the channel! I hope you have found lots of videos that you enjoy here.

[@tambrachapman6690]

I'm American born and raised. My roots, mother Land. Thank you my rainbow 🌈 generation for each one teaches one, and one hand washes the other and they both wash the face. One Love 😉

[@Moroccan-adventures.y]

Good evening, thank you for your videos, which we benefit from, and I personally benefit from them. I also have a channel from Morocco (Africa), and I want to ask you for a request. Can I reuse your videos to publish on my channel? Thank you. Greetings

[@markharrisllb]

Is it me or has this been a bad year for swallows and house martins? I’ve not seen anything like normal numbers but I've seen greenfinches in much higher numbers than usual. Unless of course I’ve got a pair of greenfinch stalkers.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

I think this year was even worse than last unfortunately, and the boom in green finches seems to have levelled out as well.

[@MrClauskok]

all this knowledge on swallows, and still not a word about "the average air speed velocity of a laden swallow?" :D

[@Paul-te8mz]

Many thanks Liam. As always a wonderfully insightful vid. But think, a bird weighing 0.7 of an ounce flies almost 10,000 kilometers twice every year. Wonderful. But why? Why leave Southern Africa to go to the UK?

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you. I'm not really sure on the answer to your question. There is a species of swallow that nest in South Africa so perhaps they compete. But it is a very long way to go. Perhaps they are from North and forced southwards by the lack of food, rather than the other way round.

[@brendandarkside1207]

Havent seen swallows, swifts or martins circling in london this year at all! :(

[@OspreyFlyer]

Yuk, not a good sign.

[@rodfearnley2486]

You forgot to mention the annual slaughter in Malta and North Africa by shooters and mist netting. These all have effect on how many birds make it to the U.K.

[@jillybalfour4207]

What is the sparrow photographed doing with a stick in its beak? they build nests with mud from the nearest water source.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

The shallows use grass and hay interwoven with the mud to strengthen their nests.

[@geoffreywilliams9324]

I live in Sydney Australia and for years I have observed swallows flying and swooping over a particular paddock near my home there. To my delight I observed swallows performing the same swooping actions over a lake in Wales whilst on holiday there. Can someone tell me is there any connection between the two . .

[@tzza9668]

So I found a baby swallow, has feathers, but isnt able to fly yet, I am guessing another 7 days before it's ready . I am feeding it up to 10 house flies and 3 or 4 earth worms every day. I hope that is enough for it, if not let me know. Also it has a little wound on the back of its neck, I did pout some aloe on it as aloe is anti bacterial. The swallow eat well, chirps etc. I wanted to know will he be accepted by others once he is ready to go on and is there anything else I need to know on how to take care of it?

[@fred-a-stair]

The number of nesting swallows local to me has dropped drastically. Our old wood silo has had a nesting pair in it for over 15 years, with just one year being a rather sad year for one pair, as only one bird returned

[@AShotOfWildlife]

A few people have reported the same. Hopefully they will bounce back over tge next couple of years.

[@lovelyj78]

Hi, I am here because I have a barnswallow nest in my backyard. I have noticed the babies all have left the nest except 1. It is there all by itself. It has been about a week since it’s siblings left the nest and I’m worried about this one. It hasn’t left. It is all alone. Should I be worried?? Any advice?

[@micktacey3596]

I have not seen many swallows this year is there a problem?

[@MustafaAli-lb8dq]

❤ Ababeel. Protectors of Kaaba.

[@rookykannigan5995]

I am from south africa an swallows have build their nest obove my balcony ceiling on the side of the light they come here every year but always break their house because of the mud on the flood they have migrated but their nest is still here i did not break it but the grey sparrows are trying to occupy it now but they are really messing the floor with grass an sand do i break it or just leave it i dont know if the swallows come back there will be a prob pls advise me thank you so much appreciate u so much

[@AShotOfWildlife]

I would leave it. If they don't come back then the sparrows have a free nest and if they do cone back they may use the same nest site again.