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Produce => Wildlife forum => Topic started by: Palustris on April 19, 2006, 20:21:15

Title: Swallows
Post by: Palustris on April 19, 2006, 20:21:15
Hurrah, just seen our first for this year. And guess who did not have the camera?
Title: Re: Swallows
Post by: honeybee on April 20, 2006, 00:13:31
Lucky you, ive never seen them  :(

I remember learning about them at school over 35 years ago and i was so fascinated but still to this day i havent had the pleasure  :'(
Title: Re: Swallows
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on April 20, 2006, 10:20:45
Where are you? I'm really surprised you've never seen them.
Title: Re: Swallows
Post by: Gadfium on April 20, 2006, 11:23:06
We saw our first swallow on the 15th, and we are north of Newcastle. It seems earlier than usual, anyone know whether it is or not?
Title: Re: Swallows
Post by: euronerd on April 20, 2006, 11:51:53
None seen here yet (Yorks) but if you've seen them Gadfium then some must already be here. It's probably my powers of observation that need sharpening. :-[ What beats me is, how do they know when to set off, given that they're coming from southern Africa?
If you put something like "swallow spring migrate uk" into a search, some links say that, yes, they are marginally earlier, but that's something to follow up the next time I'm rained off. ;D

Geoff.
Title: Re: Swallows
Post by: Carol on April 20, 2006, 14:00:02
Not seen any  up here yet (Scottish Borders)  but read that one or two have arrived.  I am sure I will spot one over the weekend or next week.  Summer is coming whooooopee   ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: Swallows
Post by: telboy on April 21, 2006, 17:35:35
Saw two swifts late yesterday afternoon. With a warm W/E forcasted, I reckon there'll be a lot about!
Title: Re: Swallows
Post by: Carol on April 21, 2006, 20:05:10
Seen swallows two times today, so they have arrived.  One in my village making for my house!!! LOL and the other on the top of Soutra Hill making for Edinburgh.  Wonderful!!!

;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Swallows
Post by: greyhound on April 21, 2006, 20:10:59
Definite sighting of swallows today on Berks/Oxon borders.   ;D

We have had suspected sightings already, but too fleeting and wrong angles to be absolutely sure.

Too early for swifts though, surely ....
Title: Re: Swallows
Post by: Palustris on April 21, 2006, 20:15:00
Just spent an hour sat on the swing seat watching them flying round the garden. They never stay long enough to get a decent picture though.
Title: Re: Swallows
Post by: telboy on April 21, 2006, 21:11:25
Can't be absolutely sure Greyhound, they move so fast. A friend, who has a camera fitted into his barn where swallows return every year will report tomorrow. He doesn't live too far away.
We do get lots of house martins later, they nest in all the eaves.
Title: Re: Swallows
Post by: Hyacinth on April 23, 2006, 18:08:57
Quote from: Carol on April 21, 2006, 20:05:10
Seen swallows two times today, so they have arrived.  

;D ;D ;D

Just remember,  Carol.....two swallows doesn't make a pint...

;D Lishka
Title: Re: Swallows
Post by: tim on April 23, 2006, 18:16:19
Except in 'the olden days' when we were supposed to knock back a pint in 2 swallows??

Sorry - yes, birds - since a few days ago in the Cotswolds,

Eric - & they are usually around in the evening when the midges etc abound - but light doesn't??
Title: Re: Swallows
Post by: kitty on April 24, 2006, 19:35:02
saw our first on easter sunday...none since tho which isodd...just waiting for the cuckoo now!
kitty