TREE SWALLOW NESTING PROJECTS, INC.
a California non-profit public benefit corporation, ID# 77-0437605

Project History

While the Tree swallow is somewhat common throughout North and South America, it was almost completely extirpated from the Southern California area, and especially in Ventura County.  This is due in part to development and agriculture, as most of the trees that could be used for nesting have been cut down.  The Tree swallow is a secondary cavity nester, which means it must have the use of "dead" trees to nest in. In North America there are approximately 700 different species of birds. Only 86 species nest in natural cavities. A secondary cavity nester must have access to a "hole" that has been excavated by a "primary' cavity nester, i.e. any of a number of species of woodpecker; or nest boxes can be installed in appropriate habitat to attract secondary as well as some primary cavity nesters where their natural habitat has been obliterated of trees. The installation of nest boxes throughout the country has resulted in a major population boost for all three species of bluebirds, consequently, the practice of putting up nest box trails has been extended to assist population increases and maintenance in all species of cavity nesters. Luckily, this is something that is fairly easy to do to combat the wholesale destruction of habitat all over the world.

Some may question why there is a need to keep these species extant. Other than the fact that they are beautiful and can bring pleasure to bird watchers and nature lovers of all ages, these birds devour millions of insects a day. With the birds patrolling, the insects are kept down naturally, without the use of pesticides. Obviously, this is a mutually beneficial relationship between humans and nature.

In the early 1980's it was noticed that there were a few pairs of Tree swallows still along the banks of the Santa Clara River, which covers both Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.  Consequently, a few nest  boxes were placed at the Ventura Sewage ponds, at the mouth of the Santa Clara River, in Ventura.  There was some moderate success, however, due to various circumstances  the project was left alone for many years.  

In 1991, the project was re-started and expansion began.  In addition to the nest boxes already in place at the Ventura Sewage Ponds, three boxes were placed at the Saticoy Spreading Grounds, Freeman Diversion, run by United Water Conservation District.  The boxes were successful and over the intervening years more and more nest boxes have been placed at that site. In 1995 a request was made by UWCD to place some boxes at another of their sites, the Gravel Pits.  The request was generated as a result of the decrease in mosquitoes and other flying insects in areas where the boxes were already in place.  The District was concerned about the use of pesticides, and saw that the swallows provided an answer to pest control that is totally natural and non toxic.  Both areas have experienced a dramatic lessening of the flying insect population.

In 1996 the area of Hedrick ranch was added to the site map.  The swallows had been nesting there historically, as it was one of the few undisturbed habitats along the river.  Boxes were added there just to supplement the strong, but small population.

Since the project has been aggressively expanded, the population of Tree Swallows has grown from approximately 10 pairs along a 45 mile stretch of the river, to several thousand birds hatched and fledged.   

In 2000, the project was expanded into Orange County.  There had been many bluebird and tree swallow boxes in place for quite a while, and TSNP was contacted to band the nestlings that hatched and fledged at the San Joaquin Marsh.  The project there is headed by Chrissy Tischer, in conjunction with the San Joaquin Marsh Water District.  The number of boxes at the marsh in 2000 was 50, and in 2001 increased to 106, resulting in several hundred more Tree Swallows for Orange County. In 2008 the Orange County site was split off from TSNP, Inc. and became a separate entity. We will still report the data from that site as it comes in.

Between 2000 and 2008 there were many changes in TSNP, sites no longer monitored due to lack of help. The boxes are still in place and hopefully still being used by the birds, however, due to the volume of work/fun, it has become impossible to continue the banding and monitoring. These sites are: San Luis Obispo, Spanish Hills Golf Course in Camarillo, Ventura Sewage Ponds and Playa Vista in Los Angles. The decision to discontinue work at these sites was heartwrenching but necessary. The main goal of TSNP is to keep the Tree swallow population healthy and growing, and though these sites are no longer monitored, they are still providing homes for the birds.