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Because I'm the sad sort of individual who makes note of such things I know that the earliest I've seen swallows here in sunny South Hampshire was April the 4th.

Now, I'm not expecting to see any in March, global warming hasn't advanced that far - yet! However, there are Ishers in Southern Europe who should be catching glimpses of them sometime soon as they head north. Wouldn't it cheer us up if we tracked their journey to help us anticipate approaching summer. It would be a pleasant prospect for those in colder latitudes to know the swallows are following the better weather northwards!

Happy swallow spotting,

Love and Peace
Jim

Not sure about summer but autumn is certainly on it's way
Here's a photo I have just taken of a very confused blackberry.
I have seen many things flowering out of season, like apple blossom in September is relatively common, but I don't think I have seen blackberry flowers in March .. well February really as I spotted them last week and your thread prompted me to go out and photograph them.

I'm all for tracking the swallows! Can't wait for them to come back as we have hundreds here over the garden and swooping down drinking from my pond. They sit on the fence of the veg patch and chunter. Lovely birds!