housemartins and swallows

For the last ten days approx. 200 housemartins and swallows have been constantly flying around and landing in a very large weeping willow just a few yards from our garden - they land in a large black cloud and will often stay for a couple of hours.  There are other willows just the same and just as big within a few hundred yards of this one but these are all ignored!  I would say we have 60% housemartins to swallows.  We have had lots of nests around us but are intrigued as to why this tree alone is where they come to sit - any suggestions please?

  • Is the tree any closer to water than the rest of them ? If so, I'd say they're favouring it because it's closer to a food source - flies and larvae etc. If it's not that then I'm stumped I'm afraid - maybe the view is better ? LOL!

    The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

  • Unknown said:

    Is the tree any closer to water than the rest of them ? If so, I'd say they're favouring it because it's closer to a food source - flies and larvae etc. If it's not that then I'm stumped I'm afraid - maybe the view is better ? LOL!

    All the trees are on a line following a small brook - they are really exited around this tree so maybe your're right they just want a tree with a view!!