Swallows 2021

[Getnthair]

Plenty flying about the old barns today

Funnily enough just saw the first solitary swallow, here, this morning.

I hope the rest are on their way? They are a pleasure to see around the steading. It is quite easy to discourage them from nesting - and making a mess - in some buildings, but I let them nest wherever they want otherwise.

I don't like the stories, in this thread, about netting them.

 

[MrNoo]

4 here this evening. Checking out last years (and years before) nests in our alcove within an old double barn door entrance, now recessed to form our front entrance. Do they re use previous nests or make their own each year? I’ve left the previous nests in situ but last year they built new ones even though previous years were in the same recess. Should o knock the old nests down?

I have found that some nests are re-used and others not (for whatever reason) I leave them. I watched a pair build a fresh nest, they built in the morning then went off for the day then another building session late afternoon, it took them a week and a half from start to finish. I also leave a hose on in the yard when it's dry so they can build their nests, just enough to have a puddle.
Certainly noticed a lot more residents appear this weekend, swooping over the beans after the insects

 

[Farmer_Joe]

loads here last day or 2 must be temperature related!

 

[Greythundercloudys]

Only 2 swallow here along with no grass. Must be linked. Normally alot more buy may3.

 

[glow worm]

A lot less swallow activity than usual still. I hope its just the cold weather delaying things. I am however getting increasingly concerned about the total absence of House Martins. We had an amazing year last year with at least 13 nests and we kept them well supplied with wet mud and clean water all summer which they really made use of but so far, not a single one. What's it like in your area?

 

[Minesapint]

A lot less swallow activity than usual still. I hope its just the cold weather delaying things. I am however getting increasingly concerned about the total absence of House Martins. We had an amazing year last year with at least 13 nests and we kept them well supplied with wet mud and clean water all summer which they really made use of but so far, not a single one. What's it like in your area?

We have 70+ nests on the house. They didn’t have a great season last year, but so far we only have 10 adults zooming around. I hope more arrive, but it is rather worrying as time passes. Mud and water always made available.

 

[2wheels]

Ours disappeared for a week but were back last night.

 

[Princess Pooper]

We have 70+ nests on the house. They didn’t have a great season last year, but so far we only have 10 adults zooming around. I hope more arrive, but it is rather worrying as time passes. Mud and water always made available.

fantastic that you have so many nest sites, hope you get more residents back soon.

 

[Paddington]

Two pairs this morning, weeks later than normal, one flew into the workshop window and knocked itself out, good start.

 

[Wilksy]

Still non over house but seen a few not far away both swallows and Martin’s, did see our first swift this morning we end up with lots of those

 

[Humble Village Farmer]

Has anybody else noticed that there's fewer this year? There are round here anyway. I also think there's a lot less in the way of insects.

 

[Scholsey]

Poor bugers are butchered by the North African, Mediterranean countries and either eaten there or sent to China alive in boxes, won’t be any left soon!

 

[Jerry]

Has anybody else noticed that there's fewer this year? There are round here anyway. I also think there's a lot less in the way of insects.

loads here. First hatch fledged and second lot of chicks in nests.

 

[thorpe]

loads here. First hatch fledged and second lot of chicks in nests.

said it before no less here cattle and old buildings they luv it here, and luv to watch them in the evening working over the wheat and osr.

 

[Wilksy]

It seems we have a lot more swift’s this year and they are finding plenty to eat, but very few swallows

 

[farmbrew]

Didn't see as many here initially but the have bred well, hopefully numbers flying back will bolster next years total

 

[primmiemoo]

They're doing well here this year. One pair is very aggressive in protecting their nest and new flying young. The whole flock of swallows saw off a sparrowhawk, yesterday.
Amazing, aren't they

 

[Jerry]

loads here. First hatch fledged and second lot of chicks in nests.

made the very same point on Twitter earlier in spring. Video of Loads of them swooping over the cattle and sheep. Too many to count.

So “meat” production doing a good thing for the environment……got a few non sensible replies…

 

[Kidds]

I think the weather baked the latest batch of youngsters here last week, nest next to the slates in that sun. Poor little buggers.

 

[Oliveau]

First brood here hatched 10 days ago, and they are the first swallows we have had for 4/5 years. 4 babies I think & doing well. Fascinating to watch.