Every year, hundreds of Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) return to nest at Grouse Mountain. These sleek birds fly thousands of miles to and from their wintering grounds in Central and South America. They feed exclusively on flying insects - not even bothering to land to feed!
Their natural nesting sites include rocky projections and overhangs, but they have easily adapted to human constructed buildings. Now they quite readily nest under bridges and in the eaves of buildings. Try to spot some of their nesting sites the next time you are on the mountain. They have even been known to nest underneath our Super Skyride and every fifteen minutes the young birds ride up or down the mountain. Talk about a lot of work for the parent birds who must follow and feed them!
