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
Bempton Swallows
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23-5gBBO0Hg
PimperneBloke said:Is that likely to be a 2nd brood then Bob, coz they were feeding youngsters when we were there in June.... Just above the door out of the cafe?
Quite possibly a second brood though there are 2 boxes - as you look back at the building this one is to the left. the one on the right over the building entrance door was empty and had a brood in when I visited in late June.
Baddesley Clinton, Sun 7th August, the scoop of the morning before lunch, a swallow family, using the R5 and 100-400 lens.
One of the youngsters stretching its wings then scrambling back into the nest before mum or dad return with food...
All four back in the nest, ready for any food on offer...
In comes the food.....
Off to fetch some more food....
Busy parents, hungry chicks....
Lot to learn
More Bempton Swallows
gaynorsl said:I don't believe they were Swifts PB, as could see the forked tail when they flew above me, I just am hopeless catching them on camera!!!!!
My first thoughts were swallows, if it is of any consolation, I did look closely at the photos, using the larger desktop screen, you can clearly make out the forked tail of a swallow.