A family of swallows are nesting inside a Land Rover used for nature tours in Pensthorpe Nature Reserve in Norfolk, England. Five eggs hatched, and the babies continue to thrive while the vehicle is in use. Warden Darren Williams says two chicks have fledged but still follow the Land Rover around.
"I feel like a surrogate father and I'm sure all the hot air from my tour patter was keeping them warm.
"The nest is just on top of a speaker and we've rigged up a swallow hammock from a little bit of netting in case they fell out as we bounced over the rough terrain."
The nest was initially removed from the vehicle to discourage the birds nesting so close to the public, but the adult swallows began to build again as soon as it was removed.
Mr Williams said: "This is uncharted territory for us.
The tourists who travel the nature preserve in the Land Rover love having the birds along. Link -via Arbroath
(Image credit: Pensthorpe Nature Reserve)
It reminds me of my old wood shop. It was in an old barn and so working in it wasn't a whole lot different than working out of doors. There was always some critter or other scurrying in through holes in the siding. For several years I had a family of wrens (our state bird!) take up residence in a corner. When their young were beginning to venture out of the nest I would have to take care not to step on them as they hopped around on the floor. None of them took much notice of me but I enjoyed watching them.