Weaver finches displacing barn swallows....

This is a problem that seems to be more recent and I was wondering if others had noticed an increase as well.  The weaver finches (English sparrow) were always here as another farmyard bird, but tended to stay to their own nesting.  It seems more recently that they are forcibly taking over barn swallow nests....even newly built ones!  Has anyone observed this as well and has anyone come up with ideas to foster the barn swallow nesting sites that weaver finches don't like?  Thanks!

I'm not sure which bird you are referring to. Is it the house sparrow? In my part of the world they are an introduced species, and have given me great trouble as I struggle to give native species (including swallows) a fighting chance.

Yes, I think House Sparrow and English Sparrow are used interchangeably.  I've become obsessed just walking by one nice swallow nest that was just built and pulling out all of the sparrow bedding that has been put in there.  Don't know if the swallows will ever take it back, but it's a shame after the time spent building it.

I have had a running quarrel (22 years) with house sparrows. Those who observe their behaviour closely will discover that they are quite agressive in taking over nesting sites from other birds, up to and including killing young nestlings. I do not feel particularly guilty about harassing these little bullies, though it's regrettable that human cluelessness created the problem in the first place.