Swallow, Swift & Martin watch 2019

[Dirk]

First House Martins spotted on Braunton Marsh, North Devon yesterday - Spring is here at last!

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Not Hirundine related so off topic but Chiffchaffs have been singing for a few days now.

 

[tom73]

No sign of our resident house martins yet. Or any in the area yet will let them off though it's not like they live round the corner.
[QUOTE 5577716, member: 9609"]Curlews are back up on the moor and Oystercatches are back up the river - but non of the classic migratories yet.
Goldeneye have gone and geese are dissapearing.[/QUOTE]

Nothing like hearing curlews on the moors alone with a lapwing or two for good measure.

 

[Fnaar]

Having moved house fairly recently, I'm afraid I will no longer be entertained on summer evenings by the housemartins that used to nest under the eaves of the old house. I used to love watching them

 

[Levo-Lon]

See a goldcrest in the trees at Banham Zoo today, ive not seen one for nearly 40 years

 

[classic33]

Having moved house fairly recently, I'm afraid I will no longer be entertained on summer evenings by the housemartins that used to nest under the eaves of the old house. I used to love watching them

Not seen them, in what used to be their regular places, in years.

The Canada Geese & heron are still about. As are the owls, although there's fewer species year on year. LED lighting having gone in on the streets, I'm expecting a further decline in numbers.

 

[Fnaar]

Not seen them, in what used to be their regular places, in years.

The Canadian Geese & heron are still about. As are the owls, although there's fewer species year on year. LED lighting having gone in on the streets, I'm expecting a further decline in numbers.

I lived in that house for 16 yrs , they nested every summer. Used to get swifts and swallows flying about too. They will again this summer, no doubt, but I don't live in that house any more :-)

 

[Dave7]

[QUOTE 5577818, member: 9609"]It has to be one of the most wonderful of bird calls, I was treated just a few nights ago whilst cycling just after sun down on a perfectly still evening. I stopped for about 10 minutes just listening to them - just wonderful, great they are back for the summer[/QUOTE]
Thats something we used to really enjoy when we had the caravan on Anglesey, a lovely sound.

 

[Fnaar]

I've often thought that while birdsong is generally lovely, they're basically telling each other 'oy, this is my tree' or 'anyone fancy a quick sh*g?'
Here, the Daily Mash takes up that theme

 

[bluenotebob]

The first swallows arrived here today - a couple of photos below

I know one doesn't "make a summer" but it reinforces the feeling that Spring is here to stay. We also heard the first cuckoo this morning too

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Lots of swallows and cuckoos here in southern Portugal. I'm guessing you are a bit further north @bluenotebob .
Always great when the summer migrants return.

 

[Glow worm]

Saw a swallow here yesterday, I don't think I've ever seen one in March before. I was sat in a bird hide on the Fen and it swooped over a pool for a drink a couple of times and then headed north. Looked to me to be on passage still, rather than local. I always wonder what sights they must have seen since leaving last Autumn to now flying past me and my bicycle in rural Cambs. Incredible birds.

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

Is there a way to stop them nesting in my car port at all? I really like wildlife, but they just sh1t all over everything. I would never harm them, ever. Just wondered if there is any simple prevention?

 

[nickyboy]

Is there a way to stop them nesting in my car port at all? I really like wildlife, but they just sh1t all over everything. I would never harm them, ever. Just wondered if there is any simple prevention?

Prevent access, that's about it

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

Prevent access, that's about it

Ok cheers, I'll just deal with the mess, not like I keep a car in there. The chicks did look cute last year anyway.