I don't think there's a thread started for 2024.
I've just heard of the first sighting of a swallow in the Midlands.
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 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),.
Why not have a go, so I'll start the 2024 thread off with, very much a case of grab the camera and shoot photos.
The link to last years thread Swifts, Swallows & Martins, share your photos and videos here 2023, and many thanks to Linda for kickstarting last years thread, for those who want to look back at the many photos shared, and all were good and most welcome to view.
Swifts, Swallows & Martins, share your photos and videos here 2023
This photo is from 9th September 2023, the days when we has lots of sun! Praying for a return of the sun, soon....
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler
Beautiful & inspiring picture - thank you! I’m just wondering whether we can attract swifts to Beaminster Church tower with Swift boxes / a Swift Screamer or whether our resident jackdaws will scare them off?
First sighting of swallow today near St Andrews Fife , usually 12-19 April and last year the 21st, think its been brought in by Storm Kathleen winds.
Nothing here that I have seen in Northumberland as yet - not even any Sand Martins which are usually first back up here.
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Been a few reported coming in through Portland and Poole Harbour. Not seen any signs in north Dorset yet
Sandmartins been back here for a couple of week now
(Pardon the Scottish Accent)
I take it you've built your nesting bank whilst you've been away lol
Jill S said:First sighting of swallow today near St Andrews Fife , usually 12-19 April and last year the 21st, think its been brought in by Storm Kathleen winds.
Hello Jill and good to read your first sighting on this years thread.
Though I'm a lot further south, my first sightings are usually around a similar dateline, so nice to read.
Three house martins arrived back here on 7th April. Joint earliest date, according to my records.....but earliest date for entering a nest. They usual don't come down to the house until late April/early May. Unfortunately, sparrows have been in and out of every single artificial martin nest ever since, incl the most successful/least disrupted one that the martins have been going in the last couple of days......long season ahead.
My first swallow obs for 2024. note the tail, one tail feather shorter than the other.
First house martin of the year over the garden this morning. Mind you, 1st time the cloud has been above about 100 feet for 3 months lol