[Fleecewife]

I think our swallows may have left already.  It's awfully quiet today except for the songbirds I can normally barely hear for the swallows' chatter.
A robin was singing a beautiful song from the wires, where there would normally be swallows drying off after a dip in our pond.
I expect the swallows know we're in for a severe winter - it just feels that way.
This year there were no third broods so all the nests are empty, but there are still loads of flies they could be feasting on.

[Backinwellies]

Our swallows have gone down the hill .... but house martins still flying round ......  sadly winter approaches 

[HappyHippy]

I've still got a few flying around this morning...and we're just ever so slightly further north that you FW. They're maybe just stragglers? I always feel a bit sad when they go 

[chrismahon]

Yesterday our house electricity supply cables had them standing shoulder to shoulder. These cables are heavy twisted 3 phase, are strung between 3 pylons and are in total 80 metres long. Quick calculation gives about a thousand birds and when they were startled by a hawk the cables moved as they all pushed away simultaneously. Today no sign of them?

[Womble]

Yes, I think ours are away too  .

There were far fewer of them this year, as well. Did anybody else notice the same?

[Fleecewife]

There were a couple of dozen back on the wires today, just passing through I expect.  Probably yours Womble 


I feel a bit sad too, but I love being able to hear the other birds again, not drowned out by the swallows. A bit like when the grockels go home, or the change from students to visitors in St Andrews.


We definitely had fewer this year, just 4 nests where we normally have twice that. Only two nestings as well whereas most years most have three.


I hope they can get back safely next year.

[Rupert the bear]

I hope they can get back safely next year.

Thats what I wish every year when they go, roll on May.
There are a few stragglers  about nine or ten and a couple of adults, they seem to feed in the morning and then disappear  until late afternoon and back for food.

[arobwk]

Gone ?  Can't say I've seen many this year at all (whether swallows, swifts or martins) !!

[mab]

I actually had a few more swallows arrive this spring than the last year - and there were a couple squabbling around one of their nests this morning, but they do seem to have thinned out now, so maybe these two were hanging on for some reason.

[Anke]

One swooped out of the goatshed this morning when I opened the door, but everybody else has left. I fear this one has missed the departure...

[Penninehillbilly]

We were down to 2, but i havent seen them for a couple of days, thought they may stick around a bit longer, it's mild and lots of flies/midges still about.

[Possum]

I haven't seen any for a couple of days 

[Fleecewife]

Think of them flying all the way south to their winter homes, crossing stormy bays, dry deserts, huntsmen with nets and all the huge dangers our tiny swallows face. Think how happy we, and the swallows, will be when they arrive back here for their next breeding season.  Safe holidays swallows!

[Penninehillbilly]

Ours left about a week ago, 
Safe journey my little friends.
I miss their twittering and telling us off, the sharp left turns if they are heading in as I head out