The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Wildlife => Topic started by: MAK on March 25, 2014, 08:28:47 pm

Title: Swallows have arrived
Post by: MAK on March 25, 2014, 08:28:47 pm
We have had a week away in the Uk and returned to central France to find that the swallows have arrived. A circuit of our lake also confirmed that a Kingfisher is here to stay and that Black Kites have joined the resident buzzards high up in the woods. Early spring is great to watch birds as leaves are yet to form on trees and we managed to see tree creepers, chiff chaffs and other little brown jobs that I could not identify.
It would be great if others can post their sightings of their first swallows and one of us plot their prgress on a map year on year. A nice project for someone maybe.
Title: Re: Swallows have arrived
Post by: Victorian Farmer on March 25, 2014, 09:16:05 pm
Fantastic new life.
Title: Re: Swallows have arrived
Post by: Fleecewife on March 25, 2014, 11:22:04 pm
Lovely  :excited:   It should be the best part of another 3 weeks before they reach us here in Scotland.
Title: Re: Swallows have arrived
Post by: shygirl on March 30, 2014, 09:58:45 pm
another year gone by already.
Title: Re: Swallows have arrived
Post by: Bramblecot on April 13, 2014, 06:09:51 pm
A single solitary swallow in the sky above our field 1830 yesterday evening (Dorset coast).  Is it summer yet? ;D
Title: Re: Swallows have arrived
Post by: waddy on April 15, 2014, 10:02:45 am
Our swallows arrived yesterday (14th March near Chard). Time to wear a hat in the barn again!


 :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:


Helen
Title: Re: Swallows have arrived
Post by: in the hills on April 15, 2014, 10:28:13 am
First swallows yesterday ..... Powys ..... 14th April.  :sunshine:
Title: Re: Swallows have arrived
Post by: Backinwellies on April 15, 2014, 10:29:10 am
Wow will have to keep look out today ... :excited:
Title: Re: Swallows have arrived
Post by: Backinwellies on April 17, 2014, 07:49:11 am
 :excited:  first one spotted yesterday afternoon  :excited:
Title: Re: Swallows have arrived
Post by: cans on April 17, 2014, 10:49:05 am
Saw first one last night.  West of Stirling

I think it may be a bit confused as there is now a new housing scheme and a building site that was not there last year.
Title: Re: Swallows have arrived
Post by: melholly on April 19, 2014, 06:51:55 pm
1st one spotted here last Tuesday. Our resident ones returned on Thursday 17th April! Now in their 4th year of nesting in the garage. Love them!


We are South East, near the coast Brighton/Eastbourne etc.


Mx
Title: Re: Swallows have arrived
Post by: adamhfc on April 20, 2014, 04:21:29 pm
They have been back a week to the yard I keep my horses that's near gorebridge near edinburgh
Title: Re: Swallows have arrived
Post by: Fleecewife on April 21, 2014, 05:32:16 pm
Other folk have them locally now but ours haven't arrived.  Strong easterly today so they won't come in on that.  The ground's too dry for them to start their nests anyway - today only as there's rain due.

I'm missing the swallows, but the other little birds they usually bully, such as wagtails, are delighted  :D

We do have a wren flitting around though, having not had any for at least two years  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Swallows have arrived
Post by: Marches Farmer on April 22, 2014, 10:37:38 am
Found a fresh egg pecked open on the floor of the stable yesterday.  Turf wars between swallows? 
Title: Re: Swallows have arrived
Post by: Hevxxx99 on April 23, 2014, 12:07:20 am
Saw the first Swallow on Good Friday here on the North York Moors...
Title: Re: Swallows have arrived
Post by: Fleecewife on April 23, 2014, 12:34:42 am
Our first two have arrived here today at last  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Swallows have arrived
Post by: Bramblecot on April 26, 2014, 01:46:07 pm
Pair of swallows making a new nest in the stable :thumbsup: