[Beewyched]

While I was turd collecting  in my pig paddock this evening I was bitten alive by the gnats - isn't it about time the Swallows were back?  I'm sure  some folks saw theirs last week 

[robert waddell]

yes they were nere last week in central scotland

[Beewyched]

  Lillian/Robert

Wonder where mine are then 

Are you sure they're yours you've got over up there not mine?  The sou'westerlies have been blowing a little hard the last week or so 

Seriously though, thought mine would have returned by now - hope they're gonna make it - absolutely no sign of them  & I'm getting eaten alive   

[robert waddell]

never thought to ask them if they prefered my summer camp to yours but i have made there stay here a bit more friendlier for them 

[Beewyched]

Don't worry - I'll collect them on Sunday 

[Fleecewife]

No sign of any here a few miles further south but we don't really expect them until about the 17th, southerlies permitting.  Then there's no peace until they all go away again - rowdy tourists   

[Beewyched]

Juliet 

I love watching their amazing airobatics, don't really mind the noise as long as they keep the midgey population down 

[HappyHippy]

I think they must be favouring the East 
Mine aren't here yet either.............maybe tomorrow 

[Fleecewife]

Juliet 

I love watching their amazing airobatics, don't really mind the noise as long as they keep the midgey population down 

Hi Lynne  I love them too but they are tremendous gossips.  We usually get quite a few nests in the barn and the hen houses (probably not good for parasites but they fly in the popholes so no way to keep them out).  They c##p on the washing if I leave it out too long, on my bags of stored fleece, on the car  and anywhere else they think it's fun. But I watch and wait for them every spring, spend all summer enjoying their new babies peeping out of the nests and learning to fly, then suddenly there's a day when I can hear the other birds again and I realise the swallows have gone south. The cat hates them because they dive bomb her, they eat all the butterflies from my buddleia and they terrorise the wagtails - but it would be a sad summer without them  .  They seem to get cheekier each year, when they do things like fly under the sheep just because they can.  Their journey down to Africa and back is one of the wonders of nature and I love the fact that a handful choose to make their nests here on our smallholding    For years we had no sparrows but now we have a flock of about 30 - they are the only birds which can drown out the swallows, but I prefer the swallows because at least they are saying something other than just 'cheep' 

[Hilarysmum]

We had one fly into the lounge a couple of days ago.  Its the only one I have seen.  My friend up the hill has loads, it must be the ambience is all wrong here.   

[northfifeduckling]

none here yet on the Tay Coast - can't wait to have them around 

[Beewyched]

We seem to have masses of birds in our garden this year, even the Blue & Great Tits have come back after the Hen Harrier decimating them last summer - must be something to do with the amount of feeding we've given them over the winter   (& we're still going through a sack of seed a fortnight   - greedy little things   )

I do so love to see the Swallows arrive - it's one of those seasonal signs that I get so excited about, like the first snowdrops, daffodils, lambs, mayflower ...  I think they are amazing little things - when they know to go, surviving the arduous journey & finding their way back.

It's not the Swallows I have to watch-out for cr***ing on the washing, it's my naughty   's  

[Fowgill Farm]

We saw one solitary swallow last night in North Yorkshire.
The past few years they have appeared between the 13th & 17th April so due any day.
They move in with the pigs and the row they make is unbelieveable, we're having a new shed built and we were hoping it would be sealed up beore they arrived but it looks like the door will have to stay open whilst they're here!
Could do with them seem to have hundreds of poo flies appear recently must be the warm weather.
Mandy 

[Beewyched]

It's all the piggie poo Mandy 
 

[sabrina]

My first 2 arrived yesterday which is about right. We have lots of nesting sites so get plenty of birds. I love having them