Guests are greeted at The Old Mushroom Farm reception by an obscure mud structure against the ceiling in the passageway.
Some visitors reel back in horror, mistaking it for a wasp nest (yes, some wasps do build nests out of mud, but this isn't one of 'em). Local birders will know that the enormous nest (aka the mansion) belongs to a pair of Greater Striped Swallows (Cecropis cucullata).
*or is it the Lesser Striped? We stand to be corrected.
Greater Striped Swallows are migratory birds native to Southern Africa. Spending their time here in South Africa in the warmer months, and migrating north to the equator (Angola, Tanzania and southern DRC) for the winters. This pair (pictured above left with their fledgeling) have been returning to The Old Mushroom Farm for around four years, adding-to and maintaining their nest.
Hence its impressive size! The nest measures approximately 55cm tall x 55 cm wide x 75cm deep including the tunnel and many visitors have said that it is the biggest swallow’s nest they have ever seen.
Is there a record keeper for the world’s biggest Striped Swallow’s nest? From a brief Google search, we didn’t find one. So, we hereby self-declare that The Old Mushroom Farm in the KZN Midlands has the largest nest, and you are invited to come and see it for yourself.
Jokes aside, we would love to hear whether you also have swallows nesting in your area, and if your resident swallows build manors like ours.
Visitors interested in bird watching will be glad to know that the KZN Midlands, and the Karkloof specifically, is a great area for birders. TOMF regular and resident bird-lover, Shannon, reports spotting Palm Swifts at Round House, a Long Crested Eagle that frequently visits, as well as Herons and Shelducks down at the farm dam along the walking trail.
Other birds that can be spotted at The Old Mushroom Farm to tick off the birding list include: Red knobbed coot, Burchell’s coucal, Grey crowned crane, Emerald cuckoo, African fish eagle, Long crested eagle, African firefinch, Spur winged goose, Hamerkop, African harrier hawk, Giant kingfisher, Fiery necked nightjar, Spotted eagle owl, Greater double collard sunbird, Cardinal woodpecker to name a few!
A short drive away, guests of The Old Mushroom Farm can visit the two bird hides at the Karkloof Conservancy where you can observe a rich diversity of birdlife, including Blue, Wattled and Crown Cranes.
Swallows are relatively comfortable around humans and often build their nests on man-made structures - eaves of roofs mimic caves and cliff overhangs that the swallows would use in natural spaces. Sadly, some folk see these birds as pests- removing the nests from their homes, but we adore these swallows and are fascinated by the nest they have been working on. Our swallows decided that the alarm siren would make a good support structure. Thankfully, crime isn’t really a thing out here in the countryside, and the birds weren’t put off by alarm sounds. Nevertheless, the alarm has since been rewired to avoid interfering with their nest.
Typically, swallows nests are bowl-shaped with a tunnel entrance, and are lined with soft feathers and plant material. Male and female swallows are responsible for nest building, and use little blobs of mud that they collect from their environment. An average nest would take around 16 days for a pair to construct. We love how you can see the stages of nest building in the different coloured layers of mud.
This nest is so huge, we bet they host Swallow soirées in their stately home. In other swallow species, like the Barn Swallows of North America, it is not uncommon for ‘extra adults’ to nest with the primary breeding pair and even contribute to feeding the young. Perhaps more than two Greater Striped Swallows live in the nest here at The Old Mushroom Farm. There is certainly room for it.
If you enjoy bird watching, The Old Mushroom Farm's Swallow nest is a must see. Book a stay with us at The Old Mushroom Farm accommodation and see the swallows, among many other fascinating bird species here in the tranquil KZN Midlands countryside.
Check out our recommendations of other fun day activities during your getaway at The Old Mushroom Farm.
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