Swallow watch 2011

[Millymollymandy]

Our swallows came back yesterday on the first day of spring. Funnily enough we were driving back from the village and saw the first one in exactly the same place as last year!!! then OH saw a couple over the garden later on. They are about 10 days earlier than last year, but everything is early this year and I do wonder how those little birds know when is the right time to come back!

[pelmetman]

Oh lucky you, no signs here yet.

They have nests all around our eaves, porch and in the outbuildings, make terrible mess each year but still love having them as visitors.

Sue

[Millymollymandy]

I haven't seen any yet this morning; I expect it will be a while before they are here in their masses and swooping over my garden twittering. It's that sound that makes summer (yes I know it's only just spring!) and everything goes all quiet when they go. However the chiffchaffs are in full voice right now making up for it, noisy little things for such tiny little birds.

[Odsox]

I saw my first swallow this morning doing some rather complicated aerial manoeuvres. Only the one, so not summer yet.

Also last week I suddenly realised that the gannets are back. I love watching them dive from a great height and if they are diving not too far out it's a case of a quick grab of my fishing tackle, as it means the mackerel are about.

[Millymollymandy]

I only saw one more the day after posting and haven't seen any since!

Edit: Swallows that is. I've never seen a gannet, not of the avian variety. I would love to though as they are really beautiful.

[Millymollymandy]

Cuckoo!!!

Saw about 5 swallows yesterday - anyone else got any yet?

[jim]

Sunday afternoon, above Singleton in Sussex, (Hat Hill) just the one heading purposefully westward!

Love and Peace
Jim

[JulieSherris]

Nothing here yet... but eagerly waiting!

The problem is that they build several nests in our derelict cottage, but the crows seem to have moved in first
They have built just the hugest nest on the cross beam high up in the roof! It's actually quite impressive.
Oh, and we seem to have more & more bats in there this year, but I don't mind those at all.

And then hubby has screwed the light fitting up in the porch, so we won't be getting them there this year... which is probably just as well because they stopped him from painting the final black gloss on the front door & he's still not done it!

But they are tenacious little birds, so I am still waiting!

[becks77]

Very jealous of Jim, no swallows our way yet, still looking skywards

[Zech]

We saw two yesterday, does that make it summer?

[darkbrowneggs]

Swallow this morning about 10am. Zoomed into the stableyard and went to check out the right hand stable, but top door shut. I rushed to open it, while he (I presume) flew about checking out last year's other nests. I think he has decided on the one under the front porch as he has been perched on the phone wire outside, looking - I must say- a little hunched up and tired

Its been a truly lovely day here today - Hey there Mr. Blue

All the best
Sue

[Millymollymandy]

Ahhhhh not sure if 'our' swallows are back yet or whether the ones I'm seeing are en route for Angleterre but at least I'm seeing one or two every day now. They are not chittering yet so looking forward to that sound.

[becks77]

still jealous!!!! lol

[jim]

Another this morning. Alone and very high up, above the Wickham Rd, flying straight and determinedly westward. No fancy aerobatics, just purposeful.

Love and Peace
Jim

[becks77]

They're here, I saw 2 tonight loop de looping over the field, yay now I'm very pleased
(ps saw my first ever kingfisher last week too spectacular!)