Author Topic: Swifts and swallows, seen them yet? (Read 4700 times)

hellohelenhere · « **on:** April 22, 2009, 14:23:24 »

I remember in recent years seeing my first swift about now. (Swallows I have seen very few of, I don't think they are very common in London, where I was living.)

Anyone seen them yet? Should be any day now!

markfield rover · « **Reply #1 on:** April 22, 2009, 15:09:28 »

Went to the stables to fetch the good stuff and flying about my head there they were,except I don't know which-flashes of white!
Hereford by the way.

OllieC · « **Reply #2 on:** April 22, 2009, 15:18:54 »

I saw one but I'm not saying it's summer yet... ::) Actually that's not true, I haven't seen any yet.

hellohelenhere · « **Reply #3 on:** April 22, 2009, 15:27:18 »

Markfield Rover, they'll be house martins:
http://www.gtdenham.org/images/Nature/House%20Martins.jpg

I love the sound of their twittering! :)

Old bird · « **Reply #4 on:** April 22, 2009, 15:53:57 »

Saw them Saturday 6th April over the Bristol Channel and now we have loads of them! They are the house martins not proper swallows!

Old Bird :D

froglets · « **Reply #5 on:** April 22, 2009, 16:06:50 »

House Martins ( 2 ) in Cheshire at the weekend

naff · « **Reply #6 on:** April 22, 2009, 16:34:04 »

We,ve had swallows here since 6th April,last year it was 22nd.No sign of swifts yet but we usually see them about the same time so should be here soon.For once we have decent enough weather for them in North Wales!!

Bjerreby · « **Reply #7 on:** April 22, 2009, 17:07:35 »

Not a sign of them yet here in Denmark. They'll arrive in May I think.

thifasmom · « **Reply #8 on:** April 22, 2009, 17:14:56 »

normally have swallows around here but i haven't seen any as yet.

Robert_Brenchley · « **Reply #9 on:** April 22, 2009, 17:39:55 »

Apparently swifts are becoming rarer due to lack of nest sites in modern centrally heated buildings.

hellohelenhere · « **Reply #10 on:** April 22, 2009, 18:07:16 »

6th of April, wow, that's early! I've only really noticed the date for the last few years, but it's generally been about 3rd week of April, for swifts, in London. The starlings here abouts do a slightly swift-like screaming noise, so lately, I've been caught out a few times! :D

Old bird · « **Reply #11 on:** April 23, 2009, 10:24:37 »

Robert you are so right!

I live in a boring modern 70's house and we have NO swifts, martins or swallows in the area at all. Occasionally you will see one flying over but only rarely - yet in the town amongst the older houses there are loads of them.

I can't think that my house is that alien to them - but they apparently return to where they came from (nest wise - like frogs!) so never venture into new territory so to speak!

I used to have loads in my previous cottage in a village and really miss them!

Ah well - just have to move to a house with a swallows nest!

Old Bird

;D

markfield rover · « **Reply #12 on:** April 23, 2009, 12:18:50 »

Thanks hellohelenhere,can tell I am a city sort! In Kew a couple of weeks ago noticed green parroty type of birds flying around,very exotic.
This year on the plot quite amazed how tame the blackbirds are being only two feet away when I am digging.

Trixiebelle · « **Reply #13 on:** April 23, 2009, 16:15:12 »

Another 3 weeks I reckon! And then I'll plant the beans out :)

I was listening to a great radio programme the other day about a bloke who followed the journery of the swallows from here to Africa. Think it was a Radio 4 prog. about nature writers ... Mariella Forestring!

Bjerreby · « **Reply #14 on:** April 26, 2009, 20:22:08 »

Danish Islands

House Martins! They flew past this afternoon. Early I'd say.

Carol · « **Reply #15 on:** April 26, 2009, 20:29:30 »

I have seen loads of Swallows. Last Monday 'my' swallow returned and waited on the telephone wire for a couple of days, now the mate is back and have again been investigating the 2 nests on my house. They are swooping in at my window at this moment in time.

Not seen the Swifts yet. They usually take up residence across the road at the Manse, they will be here soon.

:D :D :D

hellohelenhere · « **Reply #16 on:** April 27, 2009, 23:42:38 »

I've been in Verona, northern Italy, since Friday - lots of swallows here, hundreds of them - and swifts. In spite of the wind and rain, it therefore feels like summer. :)
I wonder if the swifts will have beaten me back to Reading, when I get home?

Digeroo · « **Reply #17 on:** April 27, 2009, 23:47:57 »

We had thunder lightening and hail this afternoon. If there are any swallows around think they might have turned roundand gone back to the warmth.

RobinOfTheHood · « **Reply #18 on:** May 04, 2009, 07:41:14 »

Swifts! ;D

Yesterday, must be summer! (Looks out of window) yep, it's raining. :)

hellohelenhere · « **Reply #19 on:** May 04, 2009, 11:46:32 »

Back in Reading, still haven't seen a swift here.

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Author Topic: Swifts and swallows, seen them yet? (Read 4700 times)