Swallows, Swifts, & House Martins.

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Same as all HTUK forums, be courteous, polite and tolerant, remember everyone is entitled to an opinion, even if you don't agree with it ;)
GaryW

Re: Swallows, Swifts, & House Martins.

Post by GaryW »

Yeah, holy thread resurrection Batman !! :D Saw 4 swifts today overhead at home, but swifts and swallows have been around locally (mainly more rural areas) for a few weeks now. Oh well, that's this thread done 'til 2018 then..... :lol:
Wilza

Re: Swallows, Swifts, & House Martins.

Post by Wilza »

When it's cold and windy they seem to gather over lakes and rivers where there are more insects. I say my first swift a week ago. My mum has two pairs nesting in her roof every year, they were late this year, there doesn't seem to be as many House martins these days, i've noticed a big decline since the 90's!
SueW

Re: Swallows, Swifts, & House Martins.

Post by SueW »

We've had swallows in west Cornwall for at least 3 weeks. Plus I heard a cuckoo two weeks ago. icon_cheers
billdango

Re: Swallows, Swifts, & House Martins.

Post by billdango »

Quite a few today in the Southampton sunshine. icon_sunny

But house martins are rare here thanks to people scraping their nests out from under their eaves. :evil:

I thought it was illegal in the UK to disturb nesting birds? icon_scratch

Plenty of swallows about on the outskirts of Southampton as well. :D

And I have never seen so many goldfinches around as I have this year. :D :D

billdango :D :D :D
real_ale

Re: Swallows, Swifts, & House Martins.

Post by real_ale »

I have seen a few swallows flying around but no swifts or house martins yet.
Conifers
Posts: 13147
Joined: Sat Jun 20, 2009 2:11 pm
Location: Northumbs

Re: Swallows, Swifts, & House Martins.

Post by Conifers »

My first dates this year:

Sand Martin - 14 April (very late)
Swallow - 14 April (about average)
House Martin - 14 April (a little earlier than average)
Swift - 4 May (about average)
dino

Re: Swallows, Swifts, & House Martins.

Post by dino »

No not seen any of them but we do have a bat at dusk which is a great sight
Clive60

Re: Swallows, Swifts, & House Martins.

Post by Clive60 »

Although all the Swifts, Martins and Swallows have been seen here for three weeks or so they are still coming in off the sea( English Channel) in numbers, Martins seem to be later than usual.
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