The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Wildlife => Topic started by: SallyintNorth on September 18, 2011, 02:49:33 pm

Title: Here yesterday, gone tomorrow
Post by: SallyintNorth on September 18, 2011, 02:49:33 pm

Everyone's been telling me their swallows have gone and I've kept quiet - because a lot of them seemed to have come here!  (No doubt heard about the insect-putting-up mad chasing collie dog  ::) :D)

Well, yesterday, before I went to the Rare Breed Sale in Carlisle, I fed the calves while Dot chased more swallows than I'd seen here, ever.

Today - not a one.

 :wave:  Bye, little friends.  Safe journey!    ><

(Dan - we need a smiley for flying bird!)

Edited to explain that's Dot the swallow-chasing collie, not VSS chasing my swallows before she went to the sale.   :D

Title: Re: Here yesterday, gone tomorrow
Post by: Rosemary on September 18, 2011, 05:29:24 pm

I saw one here on Friday. All gone now, I think. No wonder - piddling rain and cold here  :(

Title: Re: Here yesterday, gone tomorrow
Post by: Brucklay on September 18, 2011, 05:34:32 pm

We still have a late hatch here - the second hatch - out the nest but still looking a bit fluffy

Title: Re: Here yesterday, gone tomorrow
Post by: jaykay on September 18, 2011, 05:36:19 pm

I've still got a few - sounds like they won't be long before they're on their way  :wave:

Title: Re: Here yesterday, gone tomorrow
Post by: Sylvia on September 19, 2011, 10:00:56 am

I thought there weren't many about this year, saw hundreds on the phone wires a couple of days ago and today--- nothing. They'll be back though :)

Title: Re: Here yesterday, gone tomorrow
Post by: feldar on September 19, 2011, 01:25:09 pm

Still got em down here on the south coast; next stop Africa? good luck little ones

Title: Re: Here yesterday, gone tomorrow
Post by: Fleecewife on September 19, 2011, 01:55:21 pm

I think they showed them on Autumn Watch one year gathering on the south coast before heading off for Africa.  Presumably they fly over land so they can stop and stock up every now and then, and have a snooze.
Migration is an amazing phenomenon - clever birds  :wave:

Title: Re: Here yesterday, gone tomorrow
Post by: robert waddell on September 23, 2011, 03:30:13 pm

we still have about 12 today   yesterday they were flying into one of there nest areas
either that or this place is one of there coaching inns on there route :farmer: