House Martins And Swallows

[Prudie]

Well the House Martins arrived by me last Friday but no Swallows yet, they seem to get later and later. How about in your area (I'm Dorset)?

[Buenchico]

>>> they seem to get later and later

This year's data seems to be broadly similar to the past two years, with recorded sightings already approaching the annual maximum:
http://blx1.bto.org/bt-dailyresults/results/s322-20-16.html

[sddsddean]

I drive a tipper truck and do a lot of work running out of a quarry just outside Northampton. Start of last week the Sand Martin's who nest in one of the quarry 'walls' arrived, so we now have 200+ birds to look at! Poor loves, since last year, that side of the quarry has been extended a bit, so they have had to dig new burrows instead of using the old ones like they usually do.

[Chipchopper]

Conspicuous by their absence around here, not seen any yet.

[Prudie]

How silly of me to not be precise enough, I mean later and later for me personally of course

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Animals-and-Nature/Twitching-and-Birdwatching/Question1334229.html
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Animals-and-Nature/Twitching-and-Birdwatching/Question1126382.html
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/ChatterBank/Question881746.html
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Animals-and-Nature/Twitching-and-Birdwatching/Question1010085.html

[Trishy]

Other half has seen three swallows this weekend, but no house martins yet. We're in Cambridgeshire.

[Robinia]

Same story here just south of Derby, I never see swallows but there are probably some down the river. However I've just seen my first swifts, sometimes it's been as late as the 10th but this year they're right on time! I'll keep looking for the housemartins. (I always start singing Happy Hour when I say that :))

[bunkmoreland]

Hi Prudie,I put up a thread last year when I spotted the first one on the 9th. This year,it was the 14th. I'm in the middle of N.I. not that far from Lough Neagh. http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Animals-and-Nature/Twitching-and-Birdwatching/Question1412504.html

[Prudie]

Hi bunk thanks for the memory ;-) I'm hoping the sudden warm weather will bring them in any day, it really is getting quite late (they nest in our car port every year).

[bunkmoreland]

Our house is on farmland and the swallows have been nesting for decades in the farm buildings. Have only lived permanently myself here for a few years now but you do get a "buzz" when you see your first swallow:-) Hope your's have arrived by now!

[Prudie]

I can't believe after the hot weekend they're still not here. Mind you it was nowhere near as warm here as London and Midlands. Can't be much longer surely.