Nature on Your Doorstep Community

A place to learn, share and inspire others to create a haven for you and for wildlife.

Sign In or Register to join the conversation

Swallows

I was hanging out washing this morning and happened to look up and thought I saw two swallows fly over could this be possible having not seen any lately I assumed they had all migrated.

1 2
  • We've still got swallows up here in Aberdeen, darting around all over the place.

    Make the most of today because, unlike Sky+, there isn't a rewind button.

  • Anonymous
    0 Anonymous 08/09/2009 22:13 in reply to paula

    They seem to have gone from here where we live, and are no more for this year,

    Sad to see them go, but they will be back next year.

    Regards

    Kathy and Dave

    Unknown said:

    We've still got swallows up here in Aberdeen, darting around all over the place.

     

  • Our resident pair only vacated the shed with their brood about a week ago - not so many flying around now probably 10/20 swallows flying each afternoon with housemartins which number approx. 30 - they all get together around the same time each afternoon and socialise.   (Shrewsbury area)

  • I was out along the River Tees on Sunday, there were large numbers of Swallows over the stubble fields and the river, can't be long before they leave now.

    Tonight, I've just observed around thirty swallows over house in Darlington, that's unusual as we normally only have Swifts, I'm assuming this group are making their way South.

     

    Cheers

    Alex

    If we destroy the planet, we destroy ourselves

  • Our resident swallows at Top Lodge just fledged their last brood at the weekend. They are now practising acrobatics around the centre buildings.

    Reedbed, freshwater scrapes, saltmarsh and wet meadow. Frampton Marsh has it all! Come and pay us a visit soon.

  • I have resisted posting anything about swallows on this forum ever since I commented to my OH that "We don't get swallows around here, do we?" only to be told I should look up more. However, he took these while at Scout Summer Camp on the Isle of Wight. The campsite had an on-site shop. Next to it was a covered area which had a number of tables and chairs for al fresco dining as well as two table tennis tables. Bearing in mind this is a dedicated Scout campsite and that the shop was immediately next door, this was not, by any stretch of the imagination, the quietest of areas. Nevertheless, this is where Mr & Mrs Swallow chose to build their nest!

    The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.

    The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!

  • Good to see I wasn't going mad, as I live in Kent I feel they could have been migrating as they weren't swooping around but flying with a purpose!!!! I m amazed to learn that there is so many around still as I haven't heard or seen any for quite a while.
  • Wow, wonderful pictures, thanks for posting those :)

    If we destroy the planet, we destroy ourselves

  • Anonymous
    0 Anonymous 10/09/2009 05:15 in reply to Squirrel

    hi Squirrel

    What fabulous shots of the Swallows. Love the way they are peering down at you under the rafter.

    Well worth the photos anyday

    Regards

    Kathy and Dave

    Squirrel B said:

    I have resisted posting anything about swallows on this forum ever since I commented to my OH that "We don't get swallows around here, do we?" only to be told I should look up more. However, he took these while at Scout Summer Camp on the Isle of Wight. The campsite had an on-site shop. Next to it was a covered area which had a number of tables and chairs for al fresco dining as well as two table tennis tables. Bearing in mind this is a dedicated Scout campsite and that the shop was immediately next door, this was not, by any stretch of the imagination, the quietest of areas. Nevertheless, this is where Mr & Mrs Swallow chose to build their nest!

     

  • Swallows begin to grace our skies around April time and start breeding in May, having up to 3 broods. Unlike their House martin cousins, Swallows prefer to build their nests inside of buildings, such as barns and garages, often quite happy to live along side their human landlords! Once all the young have mastered flying, these endearing little birds leave our shores in October. The skies always seem a little emptier....

1 2