[Penninehillbilly]

Heard that wonderful twittering and chuntering in the barn this morning, lifts my spirits 

[Fleecewife]

First one of the season here in South Scotland this morning as well. Quite early for us. The Ospreys were early at Loch Arkaig too 

[Penninehillbilly]

Very early for us as well, and they've just sent hubby out of barn 

[Rosemary]

Haven't seen any here in Carnoustie yet.

[Womble]

They're on their way, Rosemary. I saw our first yesterday, and we're in Stirling.

[Possum]

And I thought I was going to be the first one to post! I thought I saw a swallow on Easter Monday but the wind was so strong that it whizzed past me too quickly to identify properly. But I saw three at the same spot this morning so they are definitely here. Spring has definitely arrived!   

[Rupert the bear]

aaaand they are back ! 10 days earlier than last year. North Aberdeenshire by Peterhead
Thank goodness .
I promised myself to hang on until they arrived, ever so pleased to say the least.

[Fleecewife]

aaaand they are back ! 10 days earlier than last year. North Aberdeenshire by Peterhead
Thank goodness .
I promised myself to hang on until they arrived, ever so pleased to say the least.

Now enjoy the whole summer they are here RtB 

[Rupert the bear]

The second brood of chicks fledged and have been learning skills suck as catch the feather dropped by mother , never seen this before , over an hour watching this , picking up water fro the puddle whilst still in flight and the adult who still cant get it right without splashing in to the water, I think this is " Dopey" a juvenile who had the same issue last year.
But unlike previous years there is no sign of any laying of eggs for a  third hatching ,just no sign of any one nesting anywhere on the place.

[Forestlens]

We’re on our third brood. We had 8 or 9 nests and they all had 4 or 5 in each. The number on the third brood is less though. The earliest brood seem to have moved on as the place has quietened down considerably! The level of guano production has consequently also reduced!,

[arobwk]

Seems to me all species of Hirundinidae here (mid Cornwall) are in extremely low numbers this year (perhaps they've decided to move farther north for their brooding summer holiday !!??).  For example, previously abundant Martins at one of my gardening client's place have been in very "short supply" this year and the very few have already gone. However, good to see at least one of two swallow nests at a friend's house has another brood (I don't know whether 2nd or 3rd). 

[In passing, I have been enjoying the sight of Red Kites while sitting-out in the above-mentioned friend's garden over recent months. However, no sighting during a visit last week so I'm wondering whether any off-spring have fully fledged and whether the family has moved elsewhere for whatever reason.]

[Penninehillbilly]

We've just had a brood fledged, I think it's 3rd lot, but something strange, if it's from the same pair, they've moved from original nest to one on other side of girder. But out this morning. All babes sat on top of bird box outside barn, waiting for breakfast.

[Backinwellies]

Our house martins have done well ....  usual 2 nests have produced 2 broods each and a third nest went up mid summer and has also produced a brood.

Swallows here have had real issues the last 2 years .... only one pair (instead of the 5or6 of previous years) and they seem to have done same as last year ... first brood failed .... last year second brood fledged but I'm not sure if the second brood is growing or not this year ... there was lots of activity but not in last couple of weeks.    I'm going to pull these nests down late Sept and see if there is any evidence.

[Fleecewife]

Weirdly our swallows have all gone!  After a busy summer and lots of babies, there's no-one in the skies 

[Backinwellies]

Just sat down with a cuppa and thought it was quiet .... then realised all three nests of house martins must have left today (I said hello to them this morning!)

Now feeling very SAD