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
It's all I could manage lol
(Pardon the Scottish Accent)
At least you've seen them.
Once the young have hatched, and the weather is more favourable, like plenty of sun to get those insects out and enable fast shutter speeds, you should be able to get some good photos.
My first housemartin of the year
Ooops, this one made a mad dash out, for food, DiY wattle and daub, who knows, but I almost missed the photo opportunity...
A few Sand Martins today
Well a thought I got one decent pic...thought wrong lol
Not that bad Linda, at least you can see its a bird not a midge lmao (and one more than I've seen this year so far!)
We got hundreds of sandmartins here now
Almost!!
As good as I got
The one that got away.....
Swallows are still quite elusive here, and as yet, still no swifts!
We have not had fewer than a dozen HM nests any year since 1996 when we moved in. Often more than 20. Max one year was 34. This year nothing. Just one passing bird a few weeks back. Totally gutted. Has anyone got reason to hope? Vid from last summer.