Swallow, Swift and Martin watch!

[camodog]

We seem light on both swallows and swifts this year. There are a few about but we've had them next in our barn as long as we've been here (usually 2 broods) and nothing this year. That makes me rather sad. Hopefully they'll make a late appearance.

Yep, I recognise that feeling. Its now the third year 'ours' have failed to arrive. There's always next year, we live in hope.
On a more positive note however, on the many farms I visit, there appear to be more than previous years.

 

[Foxyboy43]

To my surprise Jennie Wren is still lining the nest…


Keep putting those pigeon breast feathers out chaps.

 

[Lampwick]

Just got back from a week up at Wells (North Norfolk) Saw a couple of Swifts yesterday but non today. They don’t hang around.

However we saw our first English Spoonbill whist out on the kayak in the creeks!

 

[Brighty3006]

Lots of spoonfuls there. And saw my first Bittern at Burnham Deepdale not far from Wells

 

[Cyres]

I think our swifts have gone. Not seen any for weeks.
D

 

[Swedish]

House martins on their second clutch here but I think the swifts have gone.

 

[sh1kar]

Big flocks of swallows on the wires here. I think Africa must be calling

 

[Long drag]

Were here on Sunday, but gone now.

 

[john.g]

loads of swifts flying about last night down in torryburn,(south fife)

 

[GBR66]

Swallows in the garage who fledged 4 early on have had second hatch, seen today, I think there were 3 but only got one with whole head showing!

 

[camodog]

The swifts left here @ two weeks ago. There one day, gone the next.
There are still good numbers of swallows and house martins around, many still feeding second broods. Many gathering on the wires though.
Overall, I think hereabouts it's been a good season for them. Lets hope a 'fair wind' follows on their journey south.

 

[Finnwolf VL63]

Sadly all the Swifts have gone, Swallows have done brilliantly still some chicks in the nests hopefully the weather will be kind to them.

 

[wb123]

We've not had good numbers this year of them. Last year mid September we had hundreds gathering around our place over a few days before they all headed off at once.

 

[ion]

Final batch on the go.

 

[Lampwick]

Saw a brood of Swallow chicks being fed this morning!

 

[Long drag]

Good numbers of Swallows still around here, but very active, ready to move on.

 

[MattJ]

90 odd ready to go....

 

[75]

Loads of swifts around here (Derbyshire) over the weekend. Big flocks of 60+ so I guess they are ready to go and that'll be it for the year. I do hope they had a good breeding year and safe travels as their numbers (swallows in particular) have been low here this summer and we've missed them nesting in the barn.

 

[VIGILAIRE]

A young house martin had made it's way into my bedroom this morning. It was flapping madly against the window, I lifted it a little and the bird showed a clean pair of heels into the sky. End of story.

 

[moodsy74]

Aye another summer done and dusted not many swallows and Martins in the Berkshire area but a lot of the water fowl on the thames and around Bray lake have started to leave. Also seen the familiar v shape of migrating birds in the sky a sure sign summer is coming to an end. One love Ali