Swallows Arrived

[Millet]

Its been a long wait this year but they have finally arrived so hopefully that means the weather will start getting better, i will not be holding my breath though.

 

[Erichalfbee]

They've been here a few weeks now. Swifts in Lampeter this morning. Now that does mean summer is round the corner. Just remains to be seen what sort of summer
Mind you. Stan is in his shorts mowing the lawn so spring is here at least

 

[Millet]

It just goes to show how far behind we are the further North we get.

 

[bontbee]

Yep, swallows here, too, about two weeks ago, but no swifts here yet - they must have swerved round me to get to you ericA! Now, swifts is summer.
House martins seemed to be a little late this year, but are getting down to it now.

 

[bontbee]

Should have worn me glasses... Two swifts seen today - Summer is officially here!

 

[BMH]

It just goes to show how far behind we are the further North we get.

I think that's normally how it works isn't it?

Swifts here in North Wales too!

 

[snelgrove]

I think that's normally how it works isn't it?

Swifts here in North Wales too!

Swifts here according to my bird watching mate, however, it normally works that the further north you are the further behind. I am in the north east coast and I no for a fact further north and west are ahead of here. we are a good 3 to 4 weeks behind south England and Wales. This evens out as summer advances.

 

[misterbee82]

Birds of all kinds are having offspring where we're at.

 

[snelgrove]

Birds of all kinds are having offspring where we're at.

Yes and there are here as well, but swifts migrate here from Africa, I think, A may be wrong. It's spring

 

[Erichalfbee]

Cuckoo next. First one heard here last year was on Star Wars day
Nothing so far

 

[enrico]

Swallows just checked my barn out. First time this year.
E

 

[Swarm]

Not Swallows but Sand Martins, seen at Dyffryn Crawnon near Llangynidr. Also had the pleasure of spotting a male Redstart in the hedgerow, what a treat.

 

[theeggman]

But we have Redpolls coming the nyger seed this year, a first.

Apparently 2 pairs.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Also had the pleasure of spotting a male Redstart in the hedgerow, what a treat.

I've never seen one. Stan spotted one in the hedge along our drive.....we had to look it up in the bird book

 

[theeggman]

I've never seen one. Stan spotted one in the hedge along our drive.....we had to look it up in the bird book

Snap, we had to dig out the books as well. I think that we are odd in that we have reference library of bird, garden, insect and cookery books, maybe it's an age thing.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Our swallows have also arrived. Sitting on some overhead lines this morning.

 

[einsteinagogo]

ours arrived yesterday. and Four pairs of house martins been here a week now, and almost finished their nests.

if anyone is interested in the BTO House Martin survey...

You've got until the end of May to register, and get surveying..

http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/house-martin-survey/house-martin-nest-study-2016/resources

 

[bontbee]

First cuckoo of the year for me, yesterday, just south of Llanmadoc Hill, west Gower.

 

[einsteinagogo]

First cuckoo of the year for me, yesterday, just south of Llanmadoc Hill, west Gower.

and that's a bird, which is almost on the mega-rare list.

 

[bontbee]

and that's a bird, which is almost on the mega-rare list.

Yes and it's very sad. It seems that most of our summer migrants are getting it in the neck at both ends of their travels...