The Tree Swallow nesting box program has gathered considerable success since its inception in 2004.
In 2012, 15 boxes were occupied – 2 Swallow, 9 Sparrow, 2 Chickadee, 2 double (Swallow/Sparrow).
In 2013, 6 boxes were occupied – 2 Swallow, 3 Sparrow, 1 Chickadee, 25 empty. (So many were empty because baffles had been put on most to reduce the opening size so that Sparrows could not fit. Swallows must have had trouble too. Most of these were removed for the next year.)
In 2014, 16 boxes were occupied – 4 Swallow, 11 Sparrow, 1 double (Chickadee/Sparrow), 15 empty.
In 2015, 20 boxes were occupied – 8 Swallow, 9 Sparrow, 3 Chickadee, 11 empty.
In 2016, 23 boxes were occupied – 9 Swallow, 10 Sparrow, 2 Chickadee, 2 double (Swallow/Sparrow), 6 empty.
In May 2017 there are 17 boxes that have been occupied by Tree Swallows. The average number of eggs is 5. Some will not hatch, but expectations are the boxes will produce in excess of 70 new Tree Swallows.
| Nest boxes | Top species | ||||||
| Location | Tree swallow | Chickadee | House sparrow | Empty | Box not checked | Missing – does not exist | Grand Total |
| Boundary Bay | 11 | 1 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 31 | |
| Earthwise | 2 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 11 | ||
| Kings Links | 40 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 52 | ||
| Tsatsu Shores | 4 | 4 | |||||
| #N/A | 1 | 1 | |||||
| North 40 | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Grand Total | 51 | 6 | 11 | 18 | 13 | 1 | 100 |
Below are links to some Reports about Bird Box maintenance.
BBRP – Swallow Box Activity Report May 23, 2017. Report & summary by Chris McVittie, with endoscope photos of Tree Swallow nests & eggs.
BBRP Fall Nestbox Report Oct. 6, 2016 Oct. 6, 2016. Fifteen Delta NatureKids and their parents joined some Delta Naturalists when the boxes were opened and examined.
Delta Naturalists’ Program helping birds find a place to nest at Kings Links Apr. 29, 2016 article in Delta Optimist by Dave Willis, about bird nest boxes at Kings Links
BBRP & Earthwise Nestbox Report-Spring 2016 March 3, 2016, by Tom Bearss
DNS Barn Owl Box “Tour” at King’s Links, November 12, 2015, by Tom Bearss
Delta Naturalists Bird Box Summary – November 2015, November 2015, by Jack MacDonald
BBRP Nestbox Review-Fall 2014, November 7, 2014 by Terry Carr
Kings Links GC Nestboxes 2014, July 27, 2014, by Tom Bearss
Barn Owl Nestbox Report, March 27, 2014 by Tom Bearss
BBRP Nestbox Report-Spring 2014, Feb. 25, 2014, by Tom Bearss
BBRP Nestbox Review-Fall 2013, Oct. 8, 2013, by Tom Bearss
Barn Owl Box installed in North Forty Park, Oct. 8, 2013
Delta Nats BBRP Bird Box Program, Sep. 13, 2012
Nestbox Construction with Peter Ward & Ken Hall, Oct 6 & Oct. 13, 2012 Photos of Swallow Nest Box construction at Peter’s home
Delta Naturalists Society 