Swallows Already?

mojorex · Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 6:37 pm Post subject: Swallows Already?

Today I saw a swallow, surely its a bit early for them to be coming isnt it?

Liparis · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 1:05 pm Post subject:

Nope, it's pretty late compared to the last few years. The first Swallows to reach me were here by the 6th April, that's been the latest, this year however, none have yet arrived. I watch for them every spring.
Bill.

summer · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:22 pm Post subject: Swallows Already?

Hi all, yes, Swallows here in the Midlands since the first week of April, not many of them here yet.
They are back, and have all ready sused out, where they are going to nest, which is my old shed, which they come and hatch every year.
They look a bit worst of the ware at they moment, after their long journey.

mojorex · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:13 pm Post subject:

oh right cool, didnt know they came in the spring, ya they nest in our old shed aswell they are lovely to watch.

JennyS · Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 12:31 am Post subject:

Haven't seen any round here yet, they've usually starting arriving by now though each year there seem to be less of them nesting in my sheds

barremic · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 1:08 pm Post subject:

Saw my first one yesterday.

Nice reminder of warm summer evenings enjoying a cuppa down the end of the garden after work last year watching them Smile

Liparis · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 1:24 pm Post subject:

Still nothing here, not even the house and sand martins that are normally here by now as well. Maybe they've had a rough crossing this year.
Bill.

mojorex · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:14 pm Post subject:

Maybe we get them earlier in the South.

ace · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 08 Aug 2008 Posts: 10

I have them every year and the first one arrived here in Mayo over the weekend, which is a couple of weeks earlier than last year.
We have fitted cameras in the shed so we can follow their progress through out the summer and be entertained by their antics.

Liparis · Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 1:41 am Post subject:

Well the good news is, the first two Swallows have returned to me this evening. 10 days late, but a welcome sight.
I didn't get a good look, but I think the first Willow warbler was in the garden this afternoon as well, it may have been a Chiffchaff, I get the two mixed up.
looking forward to seeing if the Spotted Flycatchers return and nest in my shed again this year.
Bill.

Liparis · Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 3:30 pm Post subject:

Sean Ph'lib · Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 9:36 pm Post subject:

Willow Warbler arrived in my little vineyard yesterday. He's been singing pretty much non-stop since from the topmost branches of the whitethorn hedge. He was at it till nearly dark last night, and when I walked over this morning at six-thirty, he was warbling away! Smile

Swallows arrived here on 10th April. I have two swallow-boxes in my porch; two double-broods reared successfully last year - I must put up more boxes to try and increase my little colony!

Sive · Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 9:39 pm Post subject:

Hi Sean, how lovely to hear about your birds. What are swallow boxes like? We have put up an open fronted box (half the front left open) in our porch...would that be suitable for swallows? I haven't seen any yet here in north Wexford.

Sean Ph'lib · Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 9:57 pm Post subject:

Sive · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 6:53 am Post subject:

HI Sean........18 inches is really wide, I'm sure our box is half that width.......do swallows need that extra width for any particular reason? I don't think we've had any potential tenants inspect our box as yet !