Swallows return

Today we spotted our first swallow (bird) this year flying N-S over the allotments behind Burwell Museum at breakfast time this morning. In a few weeks they will be common!

April 7th is one of the earliest times I have seen these up here, although there have been reports in Devon a few weeks ago. There were days when I thought I would never live to see this day. The cycle of life goes on.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bird-and-wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/s/swallow/

First swallow (bird) seen in Devon - NOT amateur radio

A first swallow was reported in Devon yesterday. If this report is correct, this is the first seen this year. They usually start to arrive about now in Devon, but it is usually later up here in East Anglia.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bird-and-wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/s/swallow/

UPDATE 1740z 26.3.17: Well apparently the first swallow in South Devon was reported a week earlier, which is very early.

Overwintering Swallows - NOT amateur radio

Swallows (migratory birds) usually return from Africa here in early April. Swifts are later, arriving here in early May. The return of swallows is something I look forward to.

I have heard a few reports of swallows that managed to survive long into winter on the insects near seaweed. There was a report of at least one hanging-on over the entire winter. The Daily Mail sometimes gets its facts wrong, so I have no idea if this report was correct or just journalistic hyperbola. It dates from 2009.

See http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1115442/Meet-Rambo--tough-little-swallow-forgot-fly-South-winter.html .

Declining swallow numbers - NOT amateur radio

See http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/s/swallow/population.aspx

Certainly over here in East Anglia there are fewer swallows about than previously.  They have appeared on sightings in Devon, but I have seen very few so far. Swifts seem to be plentiful. I think I have seen as many house martins as swallows and that is just a handful. The RSPB says swallow numbers have been declining since the 1970s. As a harbinger of summer, I hope this is just a blip. Certainly we had a mild, wet winter but spring was late.

Fewer swallows definitely - NOT amateur radio

On our recent trip to Lichfield I only saw 1 swallow, confirming what I thought that there are fewer swallows around this year.

They are around now, but I have seen far fewer than in previous years.

I hope this is just a blip, although there have been far fewer house martins than years ago. Is this global warming or an El Nino effect?

Swallow outside - NOT amateur radio

It is several weeks late, but a swallow has just flown by the window. Summer will soon be here with the return of these migrant birds from South Africa.

As I said before, swallows have been making this journey for thousands of years and will be doing so long after I have gone I hope.

All is well. It gladdens my heart to see them.

See www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/s/swallow/ .

VERY late swallow - NOT amateur radio

According to my report on Devon birds, I see a swallow was sighted in Slapton, Devon on Dec 11th 2015. This is very late. It was probably from a late brood and stayed because of the mild weather. There have been rare, late, swallows before living off insects around seaweed in Cornwall, but I not aware of any proven records of over-wintering swallows staying in the UK. With our winters getting less cold it will happen some day.

The image is located at https://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/swallow_tcm9-18469.jpg?width=530&crop=(44,262,948,770) . If linking to it is problematic please let me know and I will remove the link.  I hope the free RSPB publicity is appreciated!

I have seen swallows in Devon in early December at Bolt Head, near Salcombe. Most make the hazardous journey to South Africa each September and return in April to these shores. Some arrive earlier, but most arrive by mid April, with swifts a few weeks later.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/s/swallow/ .

Even later swallows - NOT amateur radio

Fenland sky today

Well, this is extraordinary.

Today along the River Cam, about 5 miles from Cambridge, I saw 3 more young swallows. It is Oct 4th 2015 today and this is weeks later than I have seen these locally before.

There are quite a few in Devon still but this is late for up here. Maybe it is because I am looking for them or these young birds are totally thrown by our mild,warm spell? Anyway, I was very pleased to see them today. There was no doubt that these were swallows, by their appearance, flight and movement in the air.

Maybe we should expect these summer birds to stay longer these days?  I used to think Sept 21st was late for this part of the UK, but today is October!

Late swallows - NOT amateur radio

Eating lunch at the Maid's Head

Today we went for a walk around Wicken Fen and afterwards we ate at the "Maid's Head" in Wicken  village. In 1982 this thatched pub was badly damaged by fire but it was beautifully restored. Wicken is a lovely sleepy village with nice greens.

We went all around the boardwalk route at Wicken Fen and got back in the car when we saw 4 swallows overhead and quite close. This is, I think, the latest time I've seen swallows up here in East Anglia. I have seen them much later in Devon, but most have gone south by now. There are usually some late younger birds at Wimpole Hall but the latest I saw these was Sept 21st.

Swallow

As I get older, I wonder if this will be the last time I ever see a swallow in my lifetime? Hopefully I shall be around for their return next spring and for many springs to come, but there is something comforting in knowing this cycle will be going on long after I am just dust.

See  http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/s/swallow/  .

Swallows - NOT amateur radio

This morning, there were no less than 6 barn swallows feeding over the allotments about 200m from our house. These may have been passing through and getting a good feed before the very long journey ahead.

The image below is owned by the RSPB.

Fair thee well and see you in April, if nature is willing.

See http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/s/swallow/ .

Hirundines - NOT amateur radio

Around this time most of our summer migrant birds are heading south for warmer weather and more insects. Most swifts will have gone now to return here at the end of April or the start of May next year.

Today I saw a swallow and that may be the last this year. Some young birds may be around for a few weeks and it is just possible some may remain in South Devon and South Cornwall all year. Just a few may survive on the coast where there may be insects near seaweed all year. I once saw some swallows in South Devon on Dec 7th but that is very late. No, most are now gone to return next spring, at least gone from East Anglia. Some travel thousands of miles all the way to South Africa - a truly remarkable journey -  often returning to the very same next site they left. Quite remarkable.

The migration of birds is almost miraculous. I am sorry to see them leave but my heart is always glad when they return.

Of course, to some birds we are seen as warm! The Whooper and Bewick swans join us as do the fieldfares and redwings.

There is something good in every season.

Cuckoo - NOT amateur radio

We visited West Stow today with 2 of our young grandchildren. This is a reconstructed Anglo-Saxon village. We heard a goldcrest and the first cuckoo whilst there, but saw neither. A cuckoo is a sign if the return of spring. I have yet to see house martins or swifts and have only seen 2 swallows so far this spring.