They've just arrived back at my work. They nest in the stables and have done as long as I can remember - around fifty years
I could see a couple 'prospecting' last weekend at the farm where I was parked for my walk, near Balquidder. They were very busy. Not seen them here yet, but they won't be long I expect.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I'm glad it's not just me! Two arrived really early on the 6th, but since then, no more, and they had a good year here too last year. I am getting worried, it just doesn't seem like summer without them twittering on the aerial and flying in and out of the garage/ animal feed store and they have never been so late before.
But then was reading about the vineyards in France trying to save their vintage with candles and helicopters, to try to keep the frost off,and that is after the earlier cold weather in Spain and Italy, so overall we have had the best spring of anyone The Brexit effect perhaps?.
Sorry to hear that your 2 have gone elsewhere Muddle-up, hopefully we will be seeing more when the weather bucks up, I can't believe how cold its been this spring, we've had a bitter wind blowing through us for weeks now it seems, the only positive is that its been sunny and we've had very little rain, I'm wondering whether I should be watering around the field gates to give the swallows some mud for their new nests
Not sure if they were house martins or swallows as they were zipping about so fast for correct identification. I love their twittering chatter - lifts the heart. I hope more arrive soon.
Yes I saw some the week before Easter. I was visiting Republic of Ireland, a place called Carlow, out in the country. They were swooping over the side and front gardens and I too thought I was wrong when I first saw them. I was lucky enough to see them a few of the days and was'nt very far from them so I knew there was no mistake. I was delighted.
Yay! We have a third swallow Sadly not enough for any swaps Muddle-Up and anyway we are enjoying being mud free, means we can cut the lawn grass and OH can get the tractor out & give the fields a quick top - the reeds, if not the grass, are growing well.
Think this lack of swallows and martins must be due to the cold weather here and in Europe, just heard about an air frost in the south of England virtually wiping out a grape crop. It seems to have warmed up a little bit now, not such a cold wind, so have been able to check on the bees as well. Heard from a neighbour that he's lost 5 of his dozen or so hives over this winter & spring which tallies with similar stories from other members of our BKA
Like you Forestedge we love to hear the swallows twittering away as they sit on the wires between our house and barn, our summer wouldn't be the same without them!
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They've just arrived back at my work. They nest in the stables and have done as long as I can remember - around fifty years
I could see a couple 'prospecting' last weekend at the farm where I was parked for my walk, near Balquidder. They were very busy. Not seen them here yet, but they won't be long I expect.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I'm glad it's not just me! Two arrived really early on the 6th, but since then, no more, and they had a good year here too last year. I am getting worried, it just doesn't seem like summer without them twittering on the aerial and flying in and out of the garage/ animal feed store and they have never been so late before.
But then was reading about the vineyards in France trying to save their vintage with candles and helicopters, to try to keep the frost off,and that is after the earlier cold weather in Spain and Italy, so overall we have had the best spring of anyone The Brexit effect perhaps?
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Sorry to hear that your 2 have gone elsewhere Muddle-up, hopefully we will be seeing more when the weather bucks up, I can't believe how cold its been this spring, we've had a bitter wind blowing through us for weeks now it seems, the only positive is that its been sunny and we've had very little rain, I'm wondering whether I should be watering around the field gates to give the swallows some mud for their new nests
Not sure if they were house martins or swallows as they were zipping about so fast for correct identification. I love their twittering chatter - lifts the heart. I hope more arrive soon.
Yes I saw some the week before Easter. I was visiting Republic of Ireland, a place called Carlow, out in the country. They were swooping over the side and front gardens and I too thought I was wrong when I first saw them. I was lucky enough to see them a few of the days and was'nt very far from them so I knew there was no mistake. I was delighted.
Yay! We have a third swallow
Sadly not enough for any swaps Muddle-Up and anyway we are enjoying being mud free, means we can cut the lawn grass and OH can get the tractor out & give the fields a quick top - the reeds, if not the grass, are growing well.
Think this lack of swallows and martins must be due to the cold weather here and in Europe, just heard about an air frost in the south of England virtually wiping out a grape crop. It seems to have warmed up a little bit now, not such a cold wind, so have been able to check on the bees as well. Heard from a neighbour that he's lost 5 of his dozen or so hives over this winter & spring which tallies with similar stories from other members of our BKA
Like you Forestedge we love to hear the swallows twittering away as they sit on the wires between our house and barn, our summer wouldn't be the same without them!
I saw one when we were in South Lincs over Easter, but we're back in Norfolk now and I've not seen one since ....... brrrrrrrrrr! too chilly