Swallows

[Laughton]

First swallow of the year seen today returning to our barn.
Always amazed how they do it.
East Sussex.

[bungeejumper]

Saw my first yesterday evening (Wiltshire). It seems very early - last year we didn't get them until nearly May. This one was heading resolutely northwards. Keep an eye out for it, folks, and say welcome if you happen to see it.

BJ

[scottnsilky]

My first swallow of the spring this afternoon, central Lancashire. Let's hope the swifts are on their way, I didn't spot one last year.

[Laughton]

Oh dear! Summer's definitely over despite the continuing very balmy weather - "our" swallows set off on their journey south yesterday.

[bungeejumper]

Oh dear! Summer's definitely over despite the continuing very balmy weather - "our" swallows set off on their journey south yesterday.

You've had a good run, then. Ours in Wiltshire were already gathering on the overhead wires by mid-September, and then suddenly they were gone.

Too soon, too soon! Looks like this autumn's run down across the Sahara is going to be tougher than usual. I worry for the poor fledglings.

BJ

[Laughton]

Waited until today in case other Fools thought it was all down to April 1st. First swallow back in the barn. More to follow, hopefully.

Spring can now be said to have sprung - at least in East Sussex.

[GoSeigen]

Waited until today in case other Fools thought it was all down to April 1st. First swallow back in the barn. More to follow, hopefully.

Spring can now be said to have sprung - at least in East Sussex.

Last week my wife and daughter saw all (thousands) of them happily feasting on the wing in the Southern Hemisphere, so may take a while for them to arrive in force in the UK.


GS

[bungeejumper]

Mid-May, and I've still only seen about six swallows/swifts/martins! Not a sign of them in the West Wiltshire fields, either. I do wonder whether they've all decided to stay down in France this year?

I presume, though, that, once migrant birds have built a nest and started chicks along the Loire, that'll be the end of any thoughts of venturing across the Channel for the rest of this year? (I can't really blame them. )

How's it going in other parts of the UK? And what news of other migrant birds or insects?

BK

[Laughton]

Still seems to be just the one pair here in East Sussex. Usually start the year off with 4 or 5 pairs.

Maybe the others will still come.

Starlings and tits just started feeding first batch of young so they'll probably be making an appearance in the next few days.

[bruncher]

Lots of Swifts this evening in SE London.

[DrFfybes]

Last week we noticed birds in the (integrated) garage. During the building works we've been using the garage as the house entrance, so often leaving a roller door open much of the day

Came out this morning to find poo on the car, and some disgruntled skwawking from 2 swallows sat in the truss.

Got one out, but one wouldn't leave, however going up there with a ladder and we couldn't find any sign of any nest.

As we're going away next week the only thing we could do (apart from leave the door open and free access to the house) was to chase them both out. One left, we left the window open for an hour and when we came back the other appeared to have gone.

I'm hoping last Thurs was the exploratory visit and they haven't started to nest anywhere we didn't see, but as they were coming in and out through the main roller door then not sure what else we could have done about it

Paul

[Laughton]

Two days earlier than the last couple of years, our swallows have returned (East Sussex). Could this be an indication that we can look forward to a better summer??

We've installed a couple of ceramic nests for them to replace those that were looking very much the worse for wear. They seem very interested.