Re: Swallows

Hello folks

I'm new to the forum, but have a burning question.

We have family of Swallows that return every year but this year we only have the one bird that has returned.  It's flying about as if it's looking for a mate.

Does anyone remember the gales we had last September? Did that affect the migration?

Would hate to think they struggled

Thanks

Hi Janey welcome to the forum from Sheffield.

I could be wrong but i would say it's a bit early yet to start to worry i don't know what part of the country you are in but around me the Swallows are only just returning.

Hi Janey, can't advise you about the Swallows,  but a very warm welcome to here from me in Staffordshire :-)

Thankyou, sorry I'm in Blackpool

You never know the ones i'm seeing now may be heading your way.

I would think any migrating bird would just sit tight and wait out the storms. No doubt some would have been caught out at sea and succumbed but not enough to have a serious effect on overall populations.

I'm in south Lancashire and Swallows are only being reported in dribs and drabs so far. I saw several yesterday.

Thanks for your kind replies.  I'll give in another week or two then.  It is just that they are later than last year, and I do worry about my little ones!

Certainly up here in N.Yorks Swallows,Sand Martins and House Martins are very late in arriving just dribs and drabs.

Temperature is one of the key factors affecting arrival dates. Apart from that one warm spell we had in mid March it has been quite cold. I guess that if you're a bird there's no pointing getting here before the insects hatch.

Hi all

I`m new to the forum about the swallows on the 12th april 3 swallows and after that they came in dribs now the24th a lot have come in we have a river at the bottom of our garden and they feed up and down the river.they are very late this year (Somerset)

Hi pete welcome to the forum..

looking at the weather outside here today they will be heading back to Spain lol.

Alan , I was in Spain at the end of last month. We had some cold wet days there too. It could be that that has held them back.

A soggy Black Kite

Five very wet Bee Eaters , newly arrived and wondering why they ever left Africa.

'My ' Swallows arrived on April 15th but no signs of nest building as it is far too cold. The weather for migration this year has not been good which explains why they are arriving later than recent years. Take a look at this:-

btomigrationblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012_04_01_archive.html

CJ

Swallows in Shropshire as of 26/4/12 :-)

I find it just as exciting as the ospreys returning from their journey from Africa.

I was very excited this morning when I saw two swallows, the first of the year for me, flying around our outbuildings. They didn't stop tho' but surely others will follow soon.