It's getting to that time of year, when those hirundinidaes, or for the less educated like me, swifts, swallows, house and sand martins are returning to the UK to breed. We've read and heard the stories where the nesting sites have been blocked, off with netting etc, here we can share the happier moments of these birds in their majesty.
They can be tricky little birds to photograph in flight, fast, darting around, up-down. flying around (for those wondering, the words came from the opening theme to Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines film, where a group of wouldbe aviators flew from London to Paris in around 25 hours during the VERY early days of flying, theme tune HERE), but why not have a go, so I'll start the 2022 thread off with, very much a case of grab the camera and shoot photos, because the sun was at the wrong angle, and hadn't been good all day to be honest.
The link to last years thread Swifts, Swallows & Martins, share your photos and videos here 2021 for those who want to look back at the many photos shared, and all were good and most welcome to view.
https://community.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/f/all-creatures/277106/swifts-swallows-martins-share-your-photos-and-videos-here/1354849#pifragment-4285=1
My first swallow for 2022
My first, I think, house martin, please correct me if I'm wrong. [post edit, sand martin, thanks to Bob and Zo for the correction]
Both taken at RSPB Conwy
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler
Can't believe this thread had slipped to page 10!!
The local House Martins arrived back today :o)
Are there muscles in the tail, or is it just feathers keeping steady against the window frame?
Swifts are back.
Lot to learn
Not a great shot, but I like how the angle shows the detail in the tail ...
A bit late posting these photos, but better late than never, the swifts from before I went on my hols to Bonnie Scotland.
I have some swallows and house martins from Spey Bay to share later.
Video of Barn Swallow perched calling