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Author Topic: Swallows '24  (Read 13727 times)

Possum

  • Joined Feb 2012
  • Somerset
Swallows '24
« on: April 18, 2024, 09:29:29 am »
Looked out of the bedroom window this morning and saw a solitary swallow swooping over the rooftops   :yippee:

Such a marvellous sight after all the dreadful weather we have been having.


We had our first nest last year so I must make sure that the garage doors are left open to encourage them to nest again.

Fleecewife

  • Joined May 2010
  • South Lanarkshire
    • ScotHebs
Re: Swallows '24
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2024, 12:09:34 am »
It's a wonderful sight isn't it  :love:   We saw our first swallow yesterday here in the South of Scotland, but it could have been ours, the neighbouring farm's or just one passing through and heading north.  One swallow might not make Summer, but it certainly makes Spring!
Oh and @Dan we don't have a swallow icon  :hughen:
"Let's not talk about what we can do, but do what we can"

There is NO planet B - what are YOU doing to save our home?

Do something today that your future self will thank you for - plant a tree

 Love your soil - it's the lifeblood of your land.

Possum

  • Joined Feb 2012
  • Somerset
Re: Swallows '24
« Reply #2 on: April 21, 2024, 02:29:04 pm »
I think ours has gone north because we didn't see it yesterday or today. Although we did see one over the County Cricket ground on Friday. :)

Penninehillbilly

  • Joined Sep 2011
  • West Yorks
Re: Swallows '24
« Reply #3 on: April 22, 2024, 03:25:04 pm »
One was in the barn 2 nights ago. Hope it's partner turns up safe

Rupert the bear

  • Joined Jun 2015
Re: Swallows '24
« Reply #4 on: April 22, 2024, 08:59:08 pm »
I've hung on during my hibernation waiting and looking out of the window, they were early here last year, now we are entering the " looking to the sky " mode.  :fc: :fc: :fc:

Rupert the bear

  • Joined Jun 2015
Re: Swallows '24
« Reply #5 on: April 28, 2024, 07:47:40 am »
They have arrived ! A pair of swallows this morning. Their sight and sound better than any medication, I am so pleased.

arobwk

  • Joined Nov 2015
  • Kernow: where 2nd-home owners rule !
Re: Swallows '24
« Reply #6 on: April 29, 2024, 02:06:04 pm »
Saw my 1st one in flight on 22 Apr near Tintagel. And then, while driving home, something smaller flashed by which I would guess was a Martin. 


(While double-checking House Martin arrivals Wikipedia advised that members of the "Swallow family" have even been seen in Antarctica !!!)

philcaegrug

  • Joined Jul 2012
  • ammanford
Re: Swallows '24
« Reply #7 on: May 05, 2024, 06:55:24 pm »
Our pair have been back a couple of days. Hopefully better luck than last year when the magpie had their chicks.

doganjo

  • Joined Aug 2012
  • Clackmannanshire
  • Qui? Moi?
    • ABERDON GUNDOGS for work and show
    • Facebook
Re: Swallows '24
« Reply #8 on: May 06, 2024, 04:40:16 pm »
Saw a whole bunch of swallows at our Secure Dog Park on Saturday.  Hope they realise it's not summer in Central Scotland yet  :excited:
Always have been, always will be, a WYSIWYG - black is black, white is white - no grey in my life! But I'm mellowing in my old age

sabrina

  • Joined Nov 2008
Re: Swallows '24
« Reply #9 on: May 07, 2024, 12:15:35 am »
We have none at the moment which is very late.

Possum

  • Joined Feb 2012
  • Somerset
Re: Swallows '24
« Reply #10 on: May 12, 2024, 12:05:35 pm »
Two started investigating last year's nest last night so I'm hopeful for another brood this year. :fc:

Fleecewife

  • Joined May 2010
  • South Lanarkshire
    • ScotHebs
Re: Swallows '24
« Reply #11 on: June 20, 2024, 11:59:28 pm »
A couple of days ago I noticed we have House Martins building a nest just above our front door.  Surely this is a really late migration?
We haven't had martins for a couple of years.  The last nest was predated by rats (they climbed up the roses and honeysuckle which arches over the door) and the one before that was made during a drought so it fell down with tiny chicks in it which sadly died because of the fall.  Before that we had had successful nests.
So imagine how pleased we are with this new nest, which is almost certainly a new pair.  Yes there will be droppings right in front of the door where visitors stand, but nothing a shovel and broom won't sort  :D


We have only two pairs of swallows in spite of a good start, but the first nestful fledged the same day the martins arrived, so the skies were full of excitement.

"Let's not talk about what we can do, but do what we can"

There is NO planet B - what are YOU doing to save our home?

Do something today that your future self will thank you for - plant a tree

 Love your soil - it's the lifeblood of your land.

doganjo

  • Joined Aug 2012
  • Clackmannanshire
  • Qui? Moi?
    • ABERDON GUNDOGS for work and show
    • Facebook
Re: Swallows '24
« Reply #12 on: June 21, 2024, 01:50:06 pm »
All I've got is a hedgeful and rhoddy full of spiugs!!! :'( :'( :'(   - sparrows to you'se yins doon o'er the border  :roflanim:
Always have been, always will be, a WYSIWYG - black is black, white is white - no grey in my life! But I'm mellowing in my old age

Fleecewife

  • Joined May 2010
  • South Lanarkshire
    • ScotHebs
Re: Swallows '24
« Reply #13 on: June 21, 2024, 06:29:05 pm »
All I've got is a hedgeful and rhoddy full of spiugs!!! :'( :'( :'(   - sparrows to you'se yins doon o'er the border  :roflanim:


 :roflanim:  We have plenty of spiugs too, plus tree sparrows back to their prepandemic numbers.  In fact the humble spiug is suffering from dramatically reduced numbers due to changed farming practices, with little grain left lying.  So put on your rose tinted spectacles when you look at them and know you're doing good  8)  Not the most melodious birds, but lovely and perky  :D
"Let's not talk about what we can do, but do what we can"

There is NO planet B - what are YOU doing to save our home?

Do something today that your future self will thank you for - plant a tree

 Love your soil - it's the lifeblood of your land.

chrismahon

  • Joined Dec 2011
  • Gascony, France
Re: Swallows '24
« Reply #14 on: June 23, 2024, 10:13:47 am »
What we thought might be house martins, because they used to nest in the garage, have been identified as definitely swallows. The reason we can be definite is three flew inside the house yesterday and explored some of the rooms. Two were let out through a window and the other tried to exit via the French doors, which were closed at the time. The result was it knocked itself out on the glass, was picked up and taken outside where it recovered after a minute or so and flew off. Therefore we had the opportunity to have a good look at the feathering.


Not the first time we've had birds in the house, but they are usually blue tits (not including chickens).

 

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