As the barn swallow chicks hatch, the adults take the shells away from the nest and we get our first glimpse of the tiny chicks.
Barn swallow nest
This swallow pair laid five eggs in my back porch. After 14 days of incubation, the birds began taking eggshells out of the nest - and then, a glimpse of tiny beaks! Already these chicks are getting their first, minute meals (mainly flies and aphids).
I placed a chain close to the nest for the adults to perch on as they make their many trips to and from the nest - it's going to be a busy time for them! Whilst only the female broods the chicks, the male brings in the majority of the food. I've noticed when the male arrives with food the female leaves, presumably to find food for herself. He then feeds the chicks and stands on the rim of the nest, guarding the chicks. As soon as she swoops back in, the male is off again.