House Martins, Swallows & Swifts

We saw our first swallow a few days ago, and finally saw a few more this morning. This is a bit late for our part of south west Wales. Has this been your experience also? I’m wondering if the especially dismal weather has put some of them off from coming across the channel.

 

never seen that before ... looks comfy

 

so many here today .. south Wales new batch just arrived

 

I walked up past the farm today - not gone that route for a week or two, and there was a couple of swallows flying around gathering nest material from the mud in the field. Even now, that's early for here, and I don't know just how long they've been there. There's a couple of smallholdings further on, next to the main road, and I saw one fly in under the eaves of the roof on one house as I passed.

 

Not seen any yet around here.

 

You’d think they would arrive in Kent before west central Scotland wouldn’t you?

 

I think they just go straight by us down here, its not likely that they nest in my immediate area, but I usually only see them circling around the skies feeding in June and July, they often are gone by August.

 

Yes - I don't really know all the ins and outs of their routes to the UK @Emerion , but I know the 1st of May is early.
I suppose there's varying factors with them - just like everything else.
That's interesting @pete . They don't usually leave here until October, so I'll be looking out for the last sightings this year to see if that's earlier too.

 

I have seen house martins in the park later than August but not swallows.

 

House Martins have arrived here today.

 

Finally after waiting for 2 lonely weeks, roosting in the nest at night all alone, my male swallow has found a mate. I don’t know if it’s last year’s female or not but I’m so pleased. Hopefully I’ll be able to watch the whole nesting process this year from start to finish.

 

Knew it would

 

I don't know whether the House Martins have used a different flight path this year but I've only seen four. They usually stop here for a few days before moving on to nest elsewhere.

 

saw my first swift yesterday feeding over the river just the one though 14 May 2024

 

2 here Monday, well at least 2 as it was hard to spot with numerous house martins also feeding above the woods.