Clay Cliff Swallow nests. Photograph courtesy of the author.

Located in northwestern Massachusetts, Rowe hosts one of the largest Cliff Swallow colonies in the state. The swallows nest under the eaves of the town hall in the town center and have been doing so since at least the early 1980s. In 2016, I was made aware of this colony by a town resident who was concerned because Cliff Swallow nests were not adhering to the newly painted town hall eaves.

The town administration at that time allowed me to install ceramic nests that were securely attached under the eaves. With nests no longer falling, the colony grew and, to accommodate it, I put up more nests annually with support of several enthusiastic town residents who had spearheaded the effort from the start. Every year I remove the ceramic nests to clean them, and then I reinstall them the following spring. I also clean the side of the building where the swallows nest. The colony has thrived, growing to a high of 45 pairs in 2024, which is 15%–20% of the state’s known nesting population of Cliff Swallows.