In reply to Dave - CH:
Dave - CH Congrats Zo. And no place safer for that DVD than Sir David A.
Thanks. I take lots of pictures and that was one of my favourites so it was the best place
In reply to Mike B:
The barn was in Stroud at the barn under Coaly Peak The people at the barn I saw the Swallows had no idea they were nesting but they knew they get them and they fly around everywhere. It funny to note that when the Swallows finally migrate here and go to that barn in Stroud you actually have to duck when walking along the stable corridor or move out the way cause they fly fast and fly so low and there so agile and manoeuvre around everything and people aswell. And no one there were aware they were nesting. I havnt been able to stay still for long enough that I would be able to properly observe the Swallows before until the day I took the photos. I didn’t know weather they were definitely nesting there or not until I watched them but cause the corridors are narrow I stayed out the way so they can fly through It. interestingly The swallows were Nesting in one side of the stable and each swallow had a nest on the other side in that section of the Stable. Some were in holes in the ceiling and others under the eaves in the stable or on a ledge on the wall. They didn’t mind being in each other’s presence but only 1 or 2 Swallows would go to the nest and feed there young. So they were probably the parents. Sometimes the Swallows would perch together in the barn but there was only one perched alone sometimes aswell. They were quiet chatty and there was some interesting interactions when I saw them perched together aswell. But most of the time they were busy looking food and feeding there young. I found out from someone who visits there regularly about how the Swallows are now that I told they were nesting there and would be a good idea to leave alone until they have left the nest they said they checked and the young have left the nest now
with the DVD I have lots of photos and the Barn Swallow one is one is one of my favourites I put the film on the DVD aswell.
In reply to Zo Clark:
Zo Clark said:
It is a very sad fact, that so many folk do not see what is happening right under their noses, or perhaps a few more might just step back and not just admire, but show respect for nature. Their will always be those who will be bombastic and plough on regardless.
Likewise, I do seem to have more of a soft spot for swallows, whether it's because i saw them on the farms I used to work on, or not, I don't know, but nostalgia does play a part in many peoples preferences.
Swifts, as much as i admire their lifestyle, and that's all we have around here, no swallows or matins, and I guess less colourful, but just as important to the ecology of things, no less.
As for house martins, they are a relatively new liking, but that is probably because I know of somewhere where i can go and see them, and more colourful than swifts, but not as colourful as swallows.
It probably seems like i'm being a bit prejudiced, we all have our favourites, they're all equally important, and all under threat.
As for safe storage, DVD's are good, though memory sticks are probably safer from a long term storage perspective. But they too can fail, so I often keep a duplicate for that reason, plus, they're small enough to store conveniently today.
Mike
Flickr Peak Rambler
A couple of Swallow pics from near Whinlatter forest in the lakes. There was a small area with a few cottages that was teeming with them :-)
Dave - CH said:I think, Mike, that for some of us it can be a question of how much we observe them (re your Swifts comment).
Definitely.
I was actually talking about town folk who more often than not these days have their noses stuck in there mobile devices and genuinely have no idea what is around them. Some, are happy to be shown and do gasp in awe at the sight they see, and then there are those who look, and you can see the thought train, 'is that it' and just plod on, nose back into their smart device.
I usually get Swifts pass over where I am but havnt had any so far. I see House martins nearby but I don’t see Swallows as much unless I go to the right place they are around locally though. But I would usually have to go for a drive. I havnt ever seen a Sand Martin before except from a photo. I don’t know if you find this aswell but I find Swallows tend to fly very low sometimes and get surpriseingly close close enough you would think it might go into you but they never do. And they can fly exstremely close to ground or water. Whereas with house Martins i find I usually have to try even harder to get photos since they don’t tend to fly as low as the swallows do. I know what you are trying to say about the swallows though. They have more colourful plummage iridescent blue with a red chin and long tail streamers and can be amazing to watch
Zo Clark said: I usually get Swifts pass over where I am but havnt had any so far. I see House martins nearby but I don’t see Swallows as much unless I go to the right place they are around locally though. But I would usually have to go for a drive. I havnt ever seen a Sand Martin before except from a photo. I don’t know if you find this aswell but I find Swallows tend to fly very low sometimes and get surpriseingly close close enough you would think it might go into you but they never do. And they can fly exstremely close to ground or water. Whereas with house Martins i find I usually have to try even harder to get photos since they don’t tend to fly as low as the swallows do. I know what you are trying to say about the swallows though. They have more colourful plummage iridescent blue with a red chin and long tail streamers and can be amazing to watch
Sorry for the late reply, I've been off grid for a while, enjoying a weekend at Silverstone for the GP with my son, and that has taken its toll on my leg.
Still, upward and forward, and to answer your question, the swallows I tend to see are not far from water, and often fly low over the water surface to catch the insects, though I have seen them swooping over the grass.
I guess a lot will depend on where the insects are, as to how high or low they fly, whereas swifts always here anyway, seem to fly high irrespective. But, this is a very urban area, so insect availability may be higher.
But, I have seen a swift chase down our garden, just the once!
As for house martins, very much the same as the swallows, and also close to water.
But they are observations, rather than defining their flight patterns.