House Martins, Swallows & Swifts

Discussion in 'Wildlife Corner' started by Spruce, Apr 8, 2021.

  1. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    Been seeing a few more swallows in the last week with the weather looking better.
    Not many though and around the middle of the day there isn't a bird in the sky mostly.
     
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    • Sheal

      Sheal Total Gardener

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      No House Martins here yet, so they're later than last year.
       
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      • Sheal

        Sheal Total Gardener

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        The first few House Martins arrived today.
         
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        • strongylodon

          strongylodon Old Member

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          Difficult to catch on a bridge camera but there were about 50/60 Swifts flying around this morning in Poole harbour, many Swallows too, all just arrived from across the channel.
          swift.JPG
           
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          • Spruce

            Spruce Glad to be back .....

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            no house martins in the Close 15 May 2023
             
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            • pete

              pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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              Not seen any here, but often they don't appear until we get some warm weather, so could be August before I see any.
               
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              • Jenny namaste

                Jenny namaste Total Gardener

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                There are a few swallows up on the Country Park now and where we are lunching tomorrow in Batte there is a walled garden where they tend to swoop - fly catching. I will look out for them and report back ,
                Jenny namaste
                 
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                  Last edited: May 16, 2023
                • pete

                  pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                  I saw my first, house martins last evening, I'm assuming house martins instead of swallows, mostly because I can't tell the difference.

                  They were around again first thing but not now, probably avoiding the gusty winds.
                   
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                  • strongylodon

                    strongylodon Old Member

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                    Lots of Swifts around Weymouth over the bird reserve, they, Swallows and Martins have been late this Spring.
                     
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                    • Sheal

                      Sheal Total Gardener

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                      I haven't seen any more House Martins since I posted on May 2nd. They are either late here too Strongy or they're not going to appear at all.
                       
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                      • strongylodon

                        strongylodon Old Member

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                        You could still see them in the next week @Sheal but after that I would not expect any.
                         
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                        • Jenny namaste

                          Jenny namaste Total Gardener

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                          Saw 2 swallows in Battle yesterday in the Deli's rear north facing garden...
                          There is a wood behind so lots of space ,
                          Jenny namaste
                           
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                          • Spruce

                            Spruce Glad to be back .....

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                            still no house martins building houses in the close 22 May
                             
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                            • hans

                              hans Gardener

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                              We had a few here in Mid Wales two weeks ago. They tend to feed over the river and fields then disappear, probably further North. Since then no swallows or swifts none at all. They have been getting less year by year. I look up expectantly most of the day but not one.
                              Other much better news and feeding young. Robin, square front nestbox, great tit hole nestbox, bluetit hole nestbox, Blackbird privet hedge Maybe Wren and Hedge sparrow both present but not watched enough.
                               
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                              • Spruce

                                Spruce Glad to be back .....

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                                26 May about 10 house martins turned up stayed a few days havnt seen any since but I did see my fist swift yesterday 31st May.... very cold wind from the East I think until that changes wont see that many more ...
                                 
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