Swallows 2018

[rob1]

Not heard of any arriving back yet this year,cant imagine they will like the weather too much when they do get here

 

[Lili]

Hope they've packed their waterproofs.

 

[Acornworm]

Expecting them here(Cornwall) any day,weathers slightly warmer,wind is in a better direction and insects more visible, but its wet.

 

[rosbif]

First one here on Monday 2nd April. Two weeks later than usual (note location)

 

[DeeGee]

They were here on the 6th of April last year, be very surprised if they turn up that early this year.

 

[bovrill]

I used to see them assembling on the wires in March in Zambia, it will be the weather down there that will determine when they set off.
I suppose they could wait in France if they've seen a forecast for over here, but I assume once they've set off they'll just keep coming until they get here, whatever weather they arrive in.

 

[tw15]

Well plenty of mud about for their nest building at the moment .

 

[Sid]

I thought i heard one in the parlour shed this morning but no signs of any. Must have been wishful thinking!

 

[Princess Pooper]

A trickle have already been reported at Bird Observatories such as Spurn Head, Holme http://www.holmebirdobs.co.uk/ and at nature reserves like Brandon Marsh near Coventry where you have lots of birders glued to their bins all day, along with chiff chaff and other warblers. Southerly winds at the end of this week should help them and other migrants on their way. None here yet although seen moths at night quite a few times now and plenty of midges and other insects on the wing.

 

[JMTHORNLEY]

Me and Mum were talking about this yesterday. Finally some sunshine yesterday so we’d expect to see them any day now. I have missed them and it seems an age since they flew away.

We always get them here late March but seems to be taking their sweet little time

 

[penntor]

Normally appear around 20th April here.

 

[Sid]

Normally appear around 20th April here.

Within a few days of my birthday usually

 

[Fish]

Normally appear around 20th April here.

same here

 

[Still Farming]

Warm wind due this weekend may bring them ??

 

[happycows]

First 2 here just now. Was spreading last couple of fields with fertiliser and they were whizzing around me.

 

[Kidds]

Saw quite a few of them a month back, I was a very long way away from the UK though.

Heard the first ice cream van of the year yesterday if that counts for anything.

 

[tomg]

Just seen 1 here this afternoon (york) earlier than the last couple of years. Bet it wished it had stayed in Africa a bit longer.

 

[primmiemoo]

There's a starling here that has swallow in its repertoire. Keeps me hoping. I'll be off on a business trip westwards soon, so it would be great to see the real thing when there. Or maybe sooner as I'll be passing through happycows's country.

Usually they're here by mid April, but I've known them delay until St. George's Day.

 

[Al R]

Expecting them here(Cornwall) any day,weathers slightly warmer,wind is in a better direction and insects more visible, but its wet.

The midges/flies have been getting in my eyes for a few weeks now but today was horrendous! We had blowfly on a ewe 3 weeks ago but nothing since we don’t think!

 

[Acornworm]

First 2 here just now. Was spreading last couple of fields with fertiliser and they were whizzing around me.

Yippee,here now as well.