Our First Swallows

[openspaceman]

45 minutes ago, Baldbloke said:

Saw one last year. Initially thought it was a sparrow hawk until it flew over.

Yes, similarly nightjars look like raptors

[ABtrees]

Only slightly different subject (breed) - anyone seen any Swifts yet ?  Usually reckon they get here about now ! None so far though.

[Billhook]

I felt like royalty today witnessing a flypast

After all the crap rain and cold yesterday, it is quite warm and sunny this morning although breezy 

I went out the back door and five swallows swooped and dived inches from my face, twirled around each other and went in out of the car port inspecting last years nests.  Then sat on the old television aerial while we had a chat about our different Winters!

They told me that they never had any lockdowns!

I have never before witnessed wild birds so pleased to be back!

[Baldbloke]

Only slightly different subject (breed) - anyone seen any Swifts yet ?  Usually reckon they get here about now ! None so far though.

For some reason with us in the NE of Scotland we only see the occasional one, and that’s some weeks after seeing the initial swallows/house martins.

[MattyF]

First arrived on Tuesday , great to watch and as predicted the midges turned up a day later... nature must have a sync ... as much as I like seeing them if it means there yearly arrival coincides with the midges they can stay away!

[Billhook]

4 minutes ago, MattyF said:

First arrived on Tuesday , great to watch and as predicted the midges turned up a day later... nature must have a sync ... as much as I like seeing them if it means there yearly arrival coincides with the midges they can stay away!

Yes the lack of insects has a large knock on effect for all to wildlife

Bats need them desperately as do most garden birds trying to feed their young

My wife and I went down to the lake for a cuppa in the sunshine and it was very apparent that insects were back big time!

[nepia]

4 hours ago, Baldbloke said:

For some reason with us in the NE of Scotland we only see the occasional one, and that’s some weeks after seeing the initial swallows/house martins.

But do not give up hope; my mate at Wick had swifts last year for the first time.

His swallows and martins were back last week

[Dan Maynard]

Only slightly different subject (breed) - anyone seen any Swifts yet ?  Usually reckon they get here about now ! None so far though.

Ours arrived yesterday, usually have a load nesting in the house.

[Billhook]

20 hours ago, Billhook said:

Yes the lack of insects has a large knock on effect for all to wildlife

Bats need them desperately as do most garden birds trying to feed their young

My wife and I went down to the lake for a cuppa in the sunshine and it was very apparent that insects were back big time!

Goslings doing well on lake so far, they have a lot to deal with in the coming weeks, crows, magpies, stoats, mink, cats, foxes, hawks, buzzards maybe even pike.

[htb]

Where are they now, no sign yet in N.E. Scotland.