For the past few years we have had swallows building in the most unusual places. Apart from all the nesting sites in the outhouses, they have built nests in a horse box, on the sun visor of the tractor, in a hole in the wall of the cattle crush, in a dark place under the stairway to a loft and under the eave of the hall door. No, the latter were not house martins, unfortunately.
Stephen Powell, Birr, Co Offaly.
Edited by Michael Viney, who welcomes observations sent to him at Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo. e-mail: viney@anu.ie. Observations sent by email should be accompanied by postal address as location is some- times important to identification or behaviour.