Where's all the Martins, Swift's and Swallow's? I spotted a few Martin's around Knutsford mid April, 2 Swift's around Daresbury mid May and no Swallow's at all 
In reply to Post #1
Good question, hardly seen any swallows
Loads of swifts on a couple of waters near me, always there, every year, can virtually touch them when they are on the bugs, all over the place. Really nice to see
Last time I say a Martin was in Scotland around 3 years ago now!
Strange one, climate change?
Good question, hardly seen any swallows
Loads of swifts on a couple of waters near me, always there, every year, can virtually touch them when they are on the bugs, all over the place. Really nice to see
Last time I say a Martin was in Scotland around 3 years ago now!
Strange one, climate change?
In reply to Post #2
Good to hear there's Swift's where you are
Always been plenty of Sand Martin's, less house though around my part of Cheshire. Hopefully they've stopped off somewhere.
Good to hear there's Swift's where you are
Always been plenty of Sand Martin's, less house though around my part of Cheshire. Hopefully they've stopped off somewhere.
All normal round here - saw loads of Swallows this afternoon down the river.
Up to a dozen Swifts over the house most evenings too.
Up to a dozen Swifts over the house most evenings too.
In reply to Post #1
We've got a few down here drinking at my pond. Possible slightly down in numbers but not significantly.
However one less now, the hawk caught one as it came in to drink.
Surprising to see a swallow attacking a hawk as it perched on the fence holding it's kill.
Probably it's mate or youngster, sad but thats nature I guess.
We've got a few down here drinking at my pond. Possible slightly down in numbers but not significantly.
However one less now, the hawk caught one as it came in to drink.
Surprising to see a swallow attacking a hawk as it perched on the fence holding it's kill.
Probably it's mate or youngster, sad but thats nature I guess.
In reply to Post #5
Mobbing it's called - it's amazing how feisty some of them get.
The fuss alerts all the other birds of the predators presence.
Funnily enough when the cry goes up - none of them yell "Fake news!"
Watched two Blue Tits chase off a Buzzard before.
Mobbing it's called - it's amazing how feisty some of them get.
The fuss alerts all the other birds of the predators presence.
Funnily enough when the cry goes up - none of them yell "Fake news!"
Watched two Blue Tits chase off a Buzzard before.
In reply to Post #1
Plenty of swallows around Hanley,just got find them and have twenty quid on you
Plenty of swallows around Hanley,just got find them and have twenty quid on you
In reply to Post #5
Love my wildlife
Funny one like you say, I have only seen small amounts of swallows and none around my house and like you say, when I have seen them they seem to be down in numbers, sad really. Now weather it's climate change or people are shooting them, once read an article in a newspaper and they are fair game for the pot in foreign countries, why is beyond me, but hey ho. Hopefully there may be still time? Saying that it's out warmest spring for a long time.
Small flock of greenfinch passed through this morning which is nice to see
Sat here this morning, garden is nice and green and the gardens full of wildlife, love this time of year
Love my wildlife
Funny one like you say, I have only seen small amounts of swallows and none around my house and like you say, when I have seen them they seem to be down in numbers, sad really. Now weather it's climate change or people are shooting them, once read an article in a newspaper and they are fair game for the pot in foreign countries, why is beyond me, but hey ho. Hopefully there may be still time? Saying that it's out warmest spring for a long time.
Small flock of greenfinch passed through this morning which is nice to see
Sat here this morning, garden is nice and green and the gardens full of wildlife, love this time of year
I have always been interested in our birds since being a kid , i live on the outskirts of Bolton close to the moors , last year was a strange one , maybe due to the heatwave , not sure , i was down at the cricket club watching a game , which went late into the evening when i noticed that we were not being eaten by midges , same for the remaining matches , usually you have a swarm around you at that time of year and everyone would be passing round the midge cream , must of had an effect on the birds that depend on them
this year i have not seen one swallow in my neighborhood , as a child the sky would be full of them
House martins , hardly any
Swift's quite a few , nowhere near the amount from years ago .
As i mentioned before , last weekend i saw a peregrine nest with 2 chick's in , last years brood was stolen , probably to order , i also saw a stonechat
When i'm in France i often listen to the golden oriels ,they come to the edge of the forest close to me , the male has an incredible call the absolute opposite of the females screech !
this year i have not seen one swallow in my neighborhood , as a child the sky would be full of them
House martins , hardly any
Swift's quite a few , nowhere near the amount from years ago .
As i mentioned before , last weekend i saw a peregrine nest with 2 chick's in , last years brood was stolen , probably to order , i also saw a stonechat
When i'm in France i often listen to the golden oriels ,they come to the edge of the forest close to me , the male has an incredible call the absolute opposite of the females screech !
In reply to Post #9
Sounds like the swallow situation is quite common then sadly?
Interesting about midges. I have bats in my garden too, quite like them, they can catch midges!
Sounds like the swallow situation is quite common then sadly?
Interesting about midges. I have bats in my garden too, quite like them, they can catch midges!
In reply to Post #10
Love watching the bats.
Keep meaning to get one of those detectors to ID them from the calls, I know I have at least two different types by size, but can't see beyond that.
Love watching the bats.Keep meaning to get one of those detectors to ID them from the calls, I know I have at least two different types by size, but can't see beyond that.
In reply to Post #10
We were discussing bats when we had a bbq last weekend and how few there were
We were discussing bats when we had a bbq last weekend and how few there were
In reply to Post #10
Thinking about it I haven't heard a cuckoo this spring either. They come up from the Congo around the same time as Swift's, Swallow's etc that are coming from a similar direction
Thinking about it I haven't heard a cuckoo this spring either. They come up from the Congo around the same time as Swift's, Swallow's etc that are coming from a similar direction
I really hope that the tiger mosquito doesn't manage to make it across the channel from France , pesky little bas****s
far worse than the normal mozzy's and they feed all day long !
far worse than the normal mozzy's and they feed all day long !
Anybody watching Springwatch. Absolutely stunning picture in HD!
One of my favourite programs
One of my favourite programs