The wind and rain have beenkeeping the Swallows, Martins and Swifts so low this week that they are close enough to hear the sound of their wings as they zoom past your head. the Swifts are particularly energetic at the moment and although these are probably not our local birds they are still engageing in display chases and peculiar fluttering flight when the lead bird appears to be offerings itself to the one behind.... However, no mid-air mating seen yet!
With all these Swallows and House Martins we are overdue a Red-rumped Swallow and although one was seen by one lucky observer on the 2nd, there are quite a few around and a lingering bird would make many a local birder smile!
You can see in this picture that a House martin is in fact a rich blue above, not black! (Les Harrison)
17-5-12
Howard Vaughan, Information Officer