Stowaways

[Dennis]

Whilst preparing "Mary Ann" for a sail I was removing the boom/mainsail cover. When I had it half removed, I noticed (to my surprise and horror) That there was a load of mud on the inside of the cover.

You can imagine what was going though my head, how could there possibly be mud inside the boom cover of a boat on a swinging mooring, 100 yards from the nearest land. As I continued to remove the cover the reason became obvious. A birds nest dropped out and landed in the cockpit. Fortunately there were no eggs in the nest.

I always put the cover on upside down ( with the zip underneath ) so that water cannot enter from the top. This however had provided a perfect nesting place with the birds entering via the diamond shaped hole intended for the lazy jacks and peak halyard.

When I returned to my mooring after a cracking sail (Sunday 23rd May, Force 5/6 Westerly and 26 celsius) about six hours later, there was a reception committee waiting for me:

A pair of swallows! They were not the least concerned by my presence and were obviously expecting the nest to still be there.

When I replaced the boom cover I inserted a fender to block the hole.

As I rowed away from "Mary Ann" the swallows were sitting on top of the end on the boom. I am hoping that they give up and do not try to make another nest.

Has anyone else had any interesting uninvited guests?


Happy sailing

Dennis

CC19 #100 Mary Ann

[oak]

thank goodness that didn't happen om my boat Denis,SWMBO would have had the boat moored up for the next 2 months.
Have they come back.I was reading on one of the YBM forums that some one had a pair of tits nesting when they turned up the launch the boat.
we are covered in the may fly at the moment which has brought a lot of anglers in from Germany and France.Lord knows we need thier currency
Oak

[Dennis]

Hello Jack

I went sailing again on Wednesday and fortunately there were no signs of the swallows. The fender inside the boom cover, covering the hole, seems to have done the trick. I predictibly had a similar reaction from SWMBO who suggested that I should forget the boat for the summer and leave it to the birds!
The only previous bird(?) experience I have had is with my tender (an 8 foot GRP job). It is kept upside down, and again swallow had nested on the underside of the foredeck.

Cheers

Dennis

[GRIMSHAW]

I always put the cover on upside down ( with the zip underneath ) so that water cannot enter from the top. This however had provided a perfect nesting place with the birds entering via the diamond shaped hole intended for the lazy jacks and peak halyard.

Dennis

CC19 #100 Mary Ann

Well, live and learn. We always thought that the zip under was the correct way to put the cover on. No wonder Her Indoors always struggles with the tightness of fit.
To date we haven't had any permanent visitors but several transients have left their calling card despite our festooning the boat with bunting and scary things.

Regards, Graham