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
Not sure where you are, but our housemartins aren't back yet (north Dorset) either, so maybe migration delayed by rubbish weather and/or wrong wind direction?
Helsbels said:community.rspb.org.uk/.../IMG_5F00_3391.movWe 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.
community.rspb.org.uk/.../IMG_5F00_3391.movWe 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.
I'd like to think there is still hope.
A nearby swallow location is still devoid of swallows, while another a little further away has housemartins and swallows. My local reserve has swallows and sandmartins, though not so greater numbers as previous years.
I think generally the summer migrants have been slower to return this year, one of the many possible reasons could be the incessant northerly/easterly winds we've been having generally across the UK, though other factors will play a part.
One that keeps evading a photoshoot......
Our first swifts have arrived into Shepherd’s Bush London today! Utterly delighted… we refurbished our house a couple of years ago and installed 6 swift bricks, yet to be occupied. I am hoping this year will bring us a breeding pair or two. So happy to see them back in our skies again!
nisabee said:Our first swifts have arrived into Shepherd’s Bush London today! Utterly delighted… we refurbished our house a couple of years ago and installed 6 swift bricks, yet to be occupied. I am hoping this year will bring us a breeding pair or two. So happy to see them back in our skies again!
Likewise, the first swifts have been very vocal this afternoon.
Down at Weymouth last Saturday
Sadly still no Housemartins apparent at home :o(
Low numbers of house martins in the area so far, and they've also so far given up on this house due to house sparrow harrassment. Small numbers of swifts have been about since Tuesday. More evidence of a sparrow going into the swift box this morning as dried grass is hanging out the entrance. Not sure if the resident pair of swifts are here yet....
Ah should’ve posted the martins here.
Nice photos PB. Quite a few summer migrants seem to be thin in number here as well, though the swifts were incredibly noisy this morning.
stealthybutnotthatstealthy said:Low numbers of house martins in the area so far, and they've also so far given up on this house due to house sparrow harrassment. Small numbers of swifts have been about since Tuesday. More evidence of a sparrow going into the swift box this morning as dried grass is hanging out the entrance. Not sure if the resident pair of swifts are here yet....
Not good regarding the house sparrows.
The swifts here were distantly vocal on Wed 8th, but this morning, very definite presence.