[Hephaestion]

Has anyone who´s been to Kus ever noticed the absolute abundance of the Swallow?
You know, those short winged fast little dive bombers that zoom over the swimming pool.

At our hotel we were sharing residency with a huge colony of swallows. Actually it felt like residing within a giant Swallow´s nest.

Those little f***ers had literally nested everywhere! Not just one or two, each balcony and every window was infested with swallow nests.

We had two nest´s attached to our windows and could follow the hectic activity of this swarm of swallows.

The entire place was just covered in Swallow excrement. From our balcony table to the deck chairs by the pool and the pool floor – which was cleaned every morning! We couldn’t leave our towels or our clothes by the chairs otherwise they would be covered in droppings. Swallow pooh is very hard to get out.. as it´s very greasy.

Often times when we were “enjoying” breakfast on our balcony we literally have to duck ´n dive sometimes. Especially if it was only one of us was sitting alone out there. The hotel people didn´t wan´t to remove the nest´s, apparently there is some suspicion in Turkey about removing them. However hotel guests were welcome to do it though! Thanx – you guys!
Talk about passing on the jinx!

At times it was fascinating to observe. We had a cute visitor in the shape of baby swallow. It must have fallen out of it´s nest or was on it´s first flight and landed on our balcony. We thought it was injured since it just sat there and only moved it´s head. It was quite tame. It kept looking at us inquisitively – sometimes it felt like it was saying well now what do I do? It was a sweet little thing.

We didn’t know what to do. If it had injured it´s wing I couldn’t bring myself to kill it! We placed some water and dry bread by it’s side, but it wouldn’t touch it. Anyway we left it in the morning and hoped it was gone when we returned.

Alas it was still there, in the corner late afternoon. Anyway all of sudden we heard a loud squeak coming out from the horizon and to our amazement baby suddenly took flight. See! Not even baby swallows disobeys mother’s call.

Anyway half way through our holiday we would refer our hotel as the Birdcage. I had to say we were all beginning to feel eh… like being on the set of that Hitchcock movie - The Birds. We were getting a bit phobic. These suckers flew very close and sometimes it was just black with birds. None of us really fancied being pecked to death.

Enclosed are pix of the little birds by our window.

[Beatrice]

Maybe they'll have to give Kus a new name: Swallow Island instead of Pigeon Island

[**claire**]

I cant say i ever noticed all the swallows!!??

hep ... that 3rd pic you have on there, it looks like you copied & pasted the bird onto the Kusadasi skyline!!

[deanlo]

Hephaestion
Which hotel did you take that picture from it ?looking straight into my apartment block ,when was it taken and do you have anymore?,great view

Dean

[Hephaestion]

Originally Posted by **claire**

I cant say i ever noticed all the swallows!!??

hep ... that 3rd pic you have on there, it looks like you copied & pasted the bird onto the Kusadasi skyline!!

I know does look like a photoshop job, but i assure you it´s the real deal Claire!! The only way I got one on the picture (they fly incredibly fast) is that there were so many of them flying past. Right up close! I have a lousy camera!

We were staying at Parmay Apt. Hotel.
It´s right at the top of that hill where the junction is to Tusan, Selcuk etc.

Don´t worry DEAN we didn´t bring our binoculars...couldn´t see you dancing around naked

We had fantastic views though! The best ever!

We had swallows visiting us at Esat and öZKA Hotel. Perhaps their migration route is just to that side of town then.

But at compared to the other two, Parmay was actually overwhelming - extreme!
Bordering on the frightening. The girls let out a scream or two!

[deanlo]

Hephaestion
You couldnt have been looking hard enough its every evening about 6pm (lol) thanks for the info

Dean

[Hephaestion]

Originally Posted by deanlo

Hephaestion
You couldnt have been looking hard enough its every evening about 6pm (lol) thanks for the info

Dean

Oooh buggar that! My useless eyes! Oh well, never mind! Forgot to bring my pin money anyway!

I thought I heard the Full Monty Soundtrack at full blast around that time.

I thought to myself...hmmm this can´t be the call for prayer eminating from the minoret!!

[Mella]

Originally Posted by Hephaestion

Oooh buggar that! My useless eyes! Oh well, never mind! Forgot to bring my pin money anyway!

I thought I heard the Full Monty Soundtrack at full blast around that time.

I thought to myself...hmmm this can´t be the call for prayer eminating from the minoret!!

LMAO!!!!!

Hahaha ah Heph, there's nothing like reading a post from you to cheer me up for the rest of the day.

You're bloody easter bunny!! x

[Hephaestion]

Glad I cheered you up Mella! I´m feeling a bit low at the mo...the weather here is rotten!

[sanmero]

Originally Posted by Hephaestion

Often times when we were “enjoying” breakfast on our balcony we literally have to duck ´n dive sometimes. Especially if it was only one of us was sitting alone out there. The hotel people didn´t wan´t to remove the nest´s, apparently there is some suspicion in Turkey about removing them. However hotel guests were welcome to do it though! Thanx – you guys!
Talk about passing on the jinx!

There is no suspicion. In Spain we have the same "problem"... But... Let's see it from another point of view...

The swallow is a migratory bird, which expends the whole year flying from Africa to Europe and vice-versa. They stay in Africa in winter, and then come back to Europe for nesting.

Besides the incredible fact of such a small bird flying so large distances, is even more amazing that each couple's nest is EXACTLY THE SAME year after year... I think that's why people who have swallows' nests love them... because they's are so loyal to their home... and also, they are so beautiful, son cheerful, and their flight is so acrobatic and elegant... and what's more, they keep your home free of insects!!! That's important also... specially in summer...

The problem with the dirt... Well I would say that when a trouble is known then there is no trouble. I mean that if the hotel owner knows that the dirt will appear summer after summer, he might take mesures to avoid the annoyment of his customers... Because, given that the swallows always use the same nest, the caca spot is always the same!!!