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
- Dave Brown
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Swallows, Swifts, & House Martins.
Swallows, Swifts, & House Martins.
Anyone got any of these this year. They normally arrive around here the last week in April, but not a sign of them this year. They are late
It is a bit worrying planting out before they arrive, as normally they are better predicters of the weather than forecasters, and they don't do frost
Anyone got any of these this year. They normally arrive around here the last week in April, but not a sign of them this year. They are late
It is a bit worrying planting out before they arrive, as normally they are better predicters of the weather than forecasters, and they don't do frost
Best regards
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Re: Swallows, Swifts, & House Martins.
Saw my first swift i think on saturday while in the garden,its great to see them,it means summers on its way.
Re: Swallows, Swifts, & House Martins.
Last night a whole load of swifts went screeching overhead. They were the first ones I've seen this year. Was out in the garden earlier and I could hear them. So they're certainly here!
Re: Swallows, Swifts, & House Martins.
Our swallows arrived bang on time around 2 weeks ago in freezing cold. They are now in their nest, and with warmth suddenly they are singing away and seem very happy.
Re: Swallows, Swifts, & House Martins.
We dont get to see the swifts (well I havent noticed) until mid summer just as the flying ants are coming out of every knook and cranny. Perhaps its just that I happen to look for them at that time.
Not really a twitcher although I was twitching a bit yesterday at St Marys
Not really a twitcher although I was twitching a bit yesterday at St Marys
- Dave Brown
- Site Admin
- Posts: 19742
- Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 10:17 am
- Location: Chalk, (Thames Estuary) Kent, England 51.5N 0.3E
- Contact:
Re: Swallows, Swifts, & House Martins.
Glad to hear they are around. We don't get Swallows as they want to be near fresh water and we don't have that environment, but maybe the Swifts and House Martins don't like Thames gateway. It is very dusty at the moment with all the building work going on around here. Perhaps we don't have the insects this year?
Best regards
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Re: Swallows, Swifts, & House Martins.
Dave, our family of swallows arrive same day every year.
Maybe swifts and house martins arrive a little later, but I would think their arrival is timed by their biological clocks rather than because of insects ?
Maybe swifts and house martins arrive a little later, but I would think their arrival is timed by their biological clocks rather than because of insects ?
Re: Swallows, Swifts, & House Martins.
We've had swifts here for at least a week,their screeching is unmistackable.
I'll ask my mum about the swallows as she has a pair that like to nest in her stables every year
I'll ask my mum about the swallows as she has a pair that like to nest in her stables every year
- Dave Brown
- Site Admin
- Posts: 19742
- Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 10:17 am
- Location: Chalk, (Thames Estuary) Kent, England 51.5N 0.3E
- Contact:
Re: Swallows, Swifts, & House Martins.
Well just to prove me wrong, they all turned up yesterday afternoon. Crafty little bu@@ers must have been hiding around the corner. As you say Steve, you can't mistake them, and don't even need to look at the sky. The Swifts screech, and the House Martins make a distinctive clicking sort of noise.
Working from the garden today, and not a sound again. Maybe they were passing through on their way further north.
Working from the garden today, and not a sound again. Maybe they were passing through on their way further north.
Best regards
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Re: Swallows, Swifts, & House Martins.
Dave, maybe its just down to the weather ? Our swallows disappeared last week for a few days when it was cold and dank here, not sure where they go, in search of flies i guess. The next day they are back again if the suns out. They have just started nesting now ,so i guess they cant dash off if the weather turns ugly again.
- Dave Brown
- Site Admin
- Posts: 19742
- Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 10:17 am
- Location: Chalk, (Thames Estuary) Kent, England 51.5N 0.3E
- Contact:
Re: Swallows, Swifts, & House Martins.
Nigel, there is not a cloud in the sky here, Nor Swallows, Swifts, or House Martins.
Think it must be down to insects. It is much more windy today than yesterday.
Blue Sky
Think it must be down to insects. It is much more windy today than yesterday.
Blue Sky
Best regards
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Re: Swallows, Swifts, & House Martins.
The swifts are down here in London now too- noticed them on thursday morning.
We dont seem to get the Swalows or House Martins in built up areas- just the swifts.
A classic summer sound! Really makes me happy to hear them.
We dont seem to get the Swalows or House Martins in built up areas- just the swifts.
A classic summer sound! Really makes me happy to hear them.
Re: Swallows, Swifts, & House Martins.
Swifts are back in Sheffield. I have been waiting for them and have seen about six today, and I would expect more to arrive soon.
- Dave Brown
- Site Admin
- Posts: 19742
- Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 10:17 am
- Location: Chalk, (Thames Estuary) Kent, England 51.5N 0.3E
- Contact:
Re: Swallows, Swifts, & House Martins.
Blimey, 5 years on
I saw 3 Swifts on Monday, but I think the gales blew them away, as not seen them since
I saw 3 Swifts on Monday, but I think the gales blew them away, as not seen them since
Best regards
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk
Dave
_________________________________________________
Roll on summer.....
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk