“The swallows are still here, two weeks later than most years, so there must be plenty of flying bugs. That’s all they eat.”
I can’t mow the house yard (lawn) without being swarmed by Swallows looking for the bugs I kick up!
If I were a Disney Princess, I could get those Swallows to dress me each day and do all of my household chores! ;)
LOL
The swallows here don’t get that close to me. Maybe 10-15 feet at the closest. But I love watching them fly. Like little fighter jets in dog fights. They fly right through the branches of the trees like no other bird I’ve seen. Top speed.
The best shows are in the spring when they first get here. The males are chasing the females and they put on the most speed and make the most amazing dives and turns.
Re: 90 - we have had Barn Swallows get so close to us during nest checks that we can feel the air moved by their wing beats as they fly by our ears.
They also have good memories. We proved that by having someone other than me walk about 100 feet from their nests. Some loitered in the area but mostly quiet. When I walked within 100 feet - they had a strong challenge response - alarm calls, some diving, etc. - as I am the garish two legged creature checking their nests!