KNYSNA NEWS - To tell the full story we have to start in Lake Brenton, the year 2014.
Two little swallows decided to start building their house after travelling a very long way to come and enjoy the South African summer, and if all goes well, maybe even start a small family.
These swallows were greater stripped swallows.
They were warmly welcomed by the residents of the house in Lake Brenton, even though they were sometimes a little messy.
They started building a colourful home with all the different clay types that are found in the area and, as all things go, while doing construction, the female reserved the right to make some late last-minute alterations, and so they built and they built until the house was finally finished into a mansion, a stunning display of skill and a jaw-dropping 80cm x 100cm.
They built for two years and during that time they would sit on the top of the couch close to where they were building and look at the angle before they flew in, each with a mouthful of carefully selected mud.
When they were done they would fly back out go and sit on the couch again and look if the mud was placed just right.
It was during this time they would have a quick chat with André Kotze, the resident of the house in Lake Brenton.
André would whistle and talk to them and they would chirp-chirp back as if they understood what he was saying.
What now, Mr & Mrs Swallow?
In late February 2016, it was during one of these "chat sessions" that André noticed their behaviour was different – they seemed to be upset.
After inspecting the nest, André could not see any external damage and he remained a bit confused about their behaviour.
What happened next, no one could have predicted.
There were other swallows coming out of and going into the nest, there were brief fights between the builders and the other swallows and then the greater stripped swallows disappeared completely.
One of the ways of identifying the annexe is by the feathers the birds place at the entrance of the nest. Photos: Supplied
"We thought that something bad had happened to them," a concerned André said.
Another winter passed and with the coming of summer 2016, around September/October, there was still no sign of them.
The mansion was standing ghostly awaiting life. And then a "swish", the familiar sound of wings, as a bird would fly into the nest. A figure was seen but they looked different somehow.
"It was only after a couple of days that we realised that they were not the same swallows as before: they were much smaller and were the black-and-white ones the builders had a 'turf war' with," André said.
These little swallows are white-rumped swifts and they are renowned for annexing the nests of greater stripped swallows.
One of the ways of identifying the annexe is by the feathers at the entrance of the nest. It was clear – all the hard work of the stripped swallows were being enjoyed by other swallows.
No such thing as 'evil' in nature
Such is nature. To us humans this may seem unfair, but this is the way that these creatures have evolved and adapted to wiser and better ways of survival.
Think about it this way: have you ever seen a Diederik cuckoo? They are extremely beautiful to see and listen to. They are parasitic, laying their eggs in the nests of other bids to raise their young.
In fact, at the same house in Lake Brenton, they have witnessed a little wagtail raising a Diederik cuckoo.
They do not do this because they are evil, but because they have found better ways of survival.
It is my opinion that the processes of nature cannot be evil, and it is a simple word we like to use to describe complex processes in nature to help us better comprehend them.
The only thing "evil" on this planet are humans.
But on a lighter note, this story has taken another twist.
The original nest with the new addition being built to the right, above the wooden post.
It is November 2017 and the same greater stripped swallows are back. "We really think these are the same ones as they recognise me, and we have our daily chats, just like in the old days," André said.
They are now building a new nest and guess where? They have decided that it’s all about "location, location, location" and have started building right next to their old home.
I would like to take this opportunity to reach out to those people that break or destroy swallow nests because they are "messy".
Just for one moment, take the time to think how incredibly far these little birds have flown – thousands of kilometres.
They survived gale force winds and thunderstorms, they have flown over a continent consumed by war and still managed to survive.
All of this so that they can come and live with you!
Having a swallow on your property is not a nuisance but rather a compliment. Please spread the word.
ARTICLE: ANEL DE BRUIN
'We bring you the latest Knysna, Garden Route news'
