Swallows 2022

[Lazy Sod]

We've had a late brood of 4 swallow chicks in our stables. They were in an old nest that has been unused since we bought the place in 2011. They're at the stage where they're flying but still come back to roost in the stable at night.

 

[Hooby Farmer]

A bit of sun bathing before the flight home.

 

[tw15]

Swallows and swifts seem to be passing through here over the last week . All of a sudden there are a load then gone heading south . Always wish them a safe journey and hope I'm still about to see them come back next spring . Amazing little birds .

 

[primmiemoo]

Counted 50 swallows lined up on the electricity wires this afternoon. There were around a dozen more in the air ~ all busy chattering.

 

[NFI]

Our swallows left a fortnight ago (Somerset). Which is a lot earlier than usual. House martins are still here atm but it won't be long before it goes quiet again. It's going to be a long winter.

 

[dun tilling]

Ours have started drifting away, yesterday morning all there by evening a few left, this morning some still hanging about, mainly young 'uns.

and when they have gone the sodding geese arrive.

 

[organicguy]

3rd brood from the nest that arrived back first, fledged 3 days ago.
Good luck my beauties!

 

[le bon paysan]

Seen a few this morning, but a lot have left.


Sscchhh.. winter is coming!!

 

[Av Gorritt]

I think all ours have left - I never saw them "mobbing up" on the electricity wires as they normally have done , and they had a late hatched brood , but anyway - "Good luck , and Bon Voyage , see you next year -- hopefully !

 

[MrNoo]

Still a lot about here, not sure if they're just passing through, suspect they are. Seems local residents have gone but not 100% sure, they were downwind of some trees feeding on any insects blown off them

 

[Frank-the-Wool]

I saw hundreds yesterday when I was moving cattle when it was drizzling with rain. Must of been loads of insects coming up off the grass as the cattle went across it.
A great sight to see, loads of Martins as well as Swallows, also saw a few Swifts.

 

[Fish]

Still a few left ,even up here, I had half a dozen or so circling the drill yesterday afternoon as I drilled wheat into some cover crops.

 

[Cowgirl]

Not sure when ours left - at least a couple of weeks ago. Didn’t see any on the wires - just realised they weren’t flying about. Sad because I don’t think there were many young ones this year..(Ayrshire)

 

[upnortheast]

Local bird man was on holiday in southern spain last week. (his holidays always involve birds )
He was saying it was amazing sight to see thousands of swallows gathering to cross the straights of gibralter on their way to africa

 

[2wheels]

Ours have started drifting away, yesterday morning all there by evening a few left, this morning some still hanging about, mainly young 'uns.

and when they have gone the sodding geese arrive.

the sodding geese were back here over 3wks ago.

 

[primmiemoo]

Some swallows flew by this morning. I don't think they're homebred, so stragglers, maybe? Intensely focused on the insects about the cattle. Feed, feed, feed.

 

[2wheels]

the sodding geese were back here over 3wks ago.

they don't bother me, i'm retired. in the past we lost nearly 10acres of winter barley in one night and they ate the grazing grass at times. the barley recovered to a 2/3rds crop.

 

[essexpete]

We have had very few Swallows around this year, not nesting in all the usual places. Have not seen any for a few weeks.

 

[uztrac]

We have had very few Swallows around this year, not nesting in all the usual places. Have not seen any for a few weeks.

Nothing around here either,last ones spotted about a month ago.

 

[Whiffletree]

Here in Mid Hants had a few down wind of me while topping yesterday, feeding off the insects I was disturbing. Then later while walking over stubble they were skimming low around us, getting so close they were only at arms length away and even made the dog jump when one skimmed past its head, I guess they are getting braver as food gets less plentiful. A mix of adult and young swallows with House Martins too.