Swallows

[Khandro]

They are late, usually here by now, 8 martin's nests on the front of my house still unoccupied. Has anybody seen any yet?

[Prudie]

No, I have been looking because they are usually down my way at least a week ago but no sign yet.

[10ClarionSt]

I didn't see any Swallows last year till the middle of May, and last year was hot! Not seen any yet.

[jakep]

Yesterday in NW Kent. With some swifts too.
I was so pleased to see them back.

[Khandro]

I've just discovered this interesting site below, so they are around in the UK in places like Preston and Falkirk since mid April. Non here (nr. Stuttgart) yet, alas. I have a note pinned up here in my studio from 2011; 'Fri. 22nd April, first swallows arrived 7:00pm'

http://barnswallow.co.za/news/barn-swallow-news-2019/

[Barmaid]

No Swallows here yet (S cambs). But house martins been about for a week or so.

[shoota]

The numbers at my French place are worryingly low, maybe only single figures. When I got the place ten or so years ago there were literally hundreds buzzing around our little hamlet. I had nine nests in my garage, this year none unless they have come a little later.

[corylus]

Only seen one round here perched on the wires, (W Yorks) serious moorland fires locally for several days.

[goodgoalie]

No swallows or swifts here in the Cotswolds, but I saw first swifts last year on 6th May, so I'll be keeping a lookout now the stormy weather has blown through....

[Trishy]

We saw a pair of swallows here last week - central Cambridgeshire.

[Khandro]

They're back! hundreds of them spotted yesterday afternoon gathered high above the golf-course and river near my house. I think they had just arrived en masse. I was actually looking at a high-flying Red Kite when I realised it was surrounded by martins, they were not actually mobbing it, like crows do, just occupying the same air space.
I hope to see them exploring my nests now. - Great joy!

[Tilly2]

I saw a lone House Martin last evening. Hopefully, others will follow.

[corylus]

Still haven't seen any swallows round here (W Yorks) where are they all? Any ideas.....

[UKSWF]

Same here is Rossendale East Lancashire No Swifts or Swallows yet but it is a little early I usually spot then around the 24th May!

[spathiphyllum]

Not sure i've ever seen a swallow. Should i keep my eye out? Mid West England.

[Khandro]

Spathi; // They should be showing up now or soon. The swallows have long forked tails and the martins much shorter ones.
Swifts have a much wider span by proportion - they look a bit like boomerangs :0)

[spathiphyllum]

I'll keep my eye out, cheers khandro

[EDDIE51]

Swallows are becoming an endangered species ! Simply because the insects which are their ONLY food , are being killed off by farmers spraying their fields with insecticide to kill off 'Pests'.
Read Rachel Carson 'Silent Spring' !! Frightening !!!!

[spathiphyllum]

Yes Eddie it's worrying isn't it. People have little knowledge on the knock on affects from pest control. It's worse for fields with any kind of vegetation.

[tamborine]

none in Berks, no sparrows, few tits & finches but lots of pigeons; magpies & crows disappeared after they massacred ducklings. No usual wpeckers, owls but red kites still here.

Oh, and my robins are fledging ;)

[spathiphyllum]

Round mine, i have a number of tits, starlings, doves, robins, magpies, pigeons and sparrows. A couple black birds but rarely. I try to make them feel welcome but the starlings are so boisterous.