Our expert, Alex Wilkins, answers some of this month's most commonly asked questions.
Swallows and House Martins like to have a long breeding season and make the most of any warm weather into autumn. Although many will have finished breeding in the summer like Swifts, some Swallows and House Martins may continue nesting into September and remain in the UK beyond that!
It’s not unusual for both Swallows and House Martins to have two or three broods – when the birds nest and raise two or three sets of chicks. This can then result in it being September or October before the last set of chicks are ready to fledge and leave the nest.
Every year we get contacted by lots of concerned people, worried that the Swallows and House Martins haven’t left yet. But don’t worry, it’s normal to see some in October, especially if it remains relatively warm and there are still insects to catch.
People also worry that any recently fledged bird may have missed their chance to migrate or might get stuck here, especially if the parents and older siblings have flown the nest.
However, it’s common for these late broods to take longer before they are ready for migration. Some fledglings continue using their nest for a few more days while they get used to life outside of it.
Both House Martins and Swallows have been recorded in November and later. There are now even records of Swallows attempting to overwinter in the UK and skipping migrating altogether, although this is still very uncommon. This unfortunately, is a sign of climate change and warmer winters in the UK.
When Swallows and House Martins are ready to migrate back to Africa, they often gather in flocks away from the nests. They feed together over watercourses or fields where there are still insects in the air. You might see them lined up together on overhead cables when they take a break!
So don’t worry if you still see Swallows and House Martins this month. As long as the birds you see appear healthy, they should still be able to journey back to Africa. Migration can be tough for birds, so wish them lots of strength for their journey back to their wintering grounds!
Bats are strongly associated with Halloween, but can you expect to see these flying mammals during the spooky season?
The best time to spot bats is usually from May to September. Come October and November bats are spending more time searching for hibernation sites, as well as undergoing periods of torpor. This is a hibernation-like state in which bats lower their metabolic rate and body temperature to cut down on their energy usage.
You may however catch the tail-end of bat mating season, which takes place from August through to October. During this time, they may spend more time at mating roosts. But bats may also be seen gathering together and chasing each other around in an event known as autumn swarming. It’s thought this is a form of mating behaviour, so it's possible to see large groups of bats if you are lucky!
October and November tends to be a period of transition, with increasing and extended periods of torpor. Catching as many insects as possible to build up fat reserves is crucial during this time. Pipistrelles can catch 3,000 insects in a night!
Whether bats will be out catching insects in October and November is very weather and location dependent. Depending on the weather, they could be maxing their food intake, congregating at specific locations, or hibernating if it's cold.
A top tip for spotting bats during this time is to find a body of water such as a river, lake or even canal around sunset, as these provide good habitat for their insect prey.
During the coldest winter months bats hide away in locations such as tree cavities, underground caves and manmade structures, including houses. If you are aware of a roost, be sure not to disturb it, as being woken suddenly from their torpor can cost bats vital energy and these sites are protected by law.
The UK is a vital home for hundreds of thousands of wintering wading birds coming as far afield as Canada, Iceland, Scandinavia and Northwest Russia.
Thanks to the sheer numbers that winter here, we can enjoy some spectacular displays at estuaries, including at RSPB Snettisham where it’s possible to see thousands of birds including Knots, Dunlins and Oystercatchers!
Take a look at the link below for details of dates and times where sightings of this display are most likely.
So why do these birds come to the UK in such great numbers? Although we might grumble about cold winter weather, many of the birds making their way here for winter are coming from much colder climates. Many of them breed in the Arctic, for example. Our estuaries and mudflats also provide a rich source of invertebrates like worms, shellfish and other marine creatures – vital food to get these birds through the winter. Hard to imagine escaping to the UK in winter for the weather and food!
The bills of wading birds vary depending on their diets, method of feeding and depth they wish to probe into mud. Those with longer bills such as Curlews and snipes can often be seen digging deep into mud to pick out worms. Others with shorter bills, such as Dunlins and sandpipers, can often be seen skimming the surface of mud or just below in search of small worms, crustaceans and molluscs. These birds can detect prey by touch and can flex their bill in an adaptation called rhynchokinesis, which allows them to swallow their prey items.
Despite their name, Oystercatchers mostly eat cockles and mussels in intertidal areas (or worms inland). They utilise their striking orange beak to prise or smash them open. Lapwings have a much smaller beak which they use to catch aquatic insects under the water’s surface.
Working in the RSPB Wildlife Enquiries Team is really fun as I am always working on my knowledge with interesting queries and projects! I am especially interested in seabirds and their conservation, having previously had the pleasure of working on the RSPB’s Little Tern restoration projects. It’s always great just to get out there and see some birds!
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