Blogs

It’s that time of year again. The days are getting shorter and the weather’s starting to get colder. Autumn is on it’s way and the wildlife around us know this. For the last few weeks swifts, swallows and martins have been swooping around practising their flying skills before they set...

Of course, Aristotle said 'one swallow does not make a summer' , but I think a swallow could make your weekend. They've already been seen as far north as Orkney , so your local ones are bound to be back soon. They're coming to a barn, shed or garage near you! Five swallow facts...

Thank you for taking the time to vote and comment. The swift came out on top closely followed by the swallow with the osprey in third spot. We won't be seeing the swifts for a little while yet but already reports of swallows are trickling in such as the one at the Portland bird observatory...

Blogger: Emily Field, Volunteer & Farmer Alliance Project Officer (Bird Survey Data & Advice) You might think I'm bonkers when you look at the weather forecast for the week ahead (max 6c and scattered showers) but as far as I'm concerned it's official, blue skies and barbeques...

Did you get the rain over the past few weeks too? Sheets of slanting, leaden rain plummeting from a bulging grey sky. The garden was glad for it, but the watery chill certainly didn’t make it feel like August. On one of these wet afternoons, huddled inside with puddle-lakes forming outside the...

Good stuff, there is plenty of time yet for swallows to fledge their second or third broods although in some parts we are already seeing large gatherings before they head south for the winter. It would be interesting to hear peoples accounts of late fledging swallows, it would be grwat if sightings like...

I was out along the River Tees on Sunday, there were large numbers of Swallows over the stubble fields and the river, can't be long before they leave now. Tonight, I've just observed around thirty swallows over house in Darlington, that's unusual as we normally only have Swifts, I'm...

Coming into work this morning, I noticed a lone swallow perched on a wire by the side of the road. Although fairly impossible to tell what mood a bird is in, he looked a little lost and forlorn, and I imagined him sitting on the wire, wondering where all his mates had gone. I didn't have time...

I stepped out of the front door to begin my journey to work. It was a beautiful morning, with the vibrant, green young leaves of the horse chestnuts illuminated perfectly. And there they were, bickering for space to perch on the telegraph wire. Our next-door neighbours, the swallows , were back! Lots...