| Swallows leaving - Do the adults "abandon" their young?
Our local swallows were gathering last week, and I counted 32 on the telegraph lines, with more still flying around, This week, despite the settled weather, they seem to be fewer, and today, we noticed 2 obvious juveniles (small and still a little "fluffy") sitting on our barn roof. They are obviously flying and fending for themselves, but it looks as if the adults have already headed off for warmer climes, and these 2 little ones from their most recent brood are still here. I saw them going to roost in our goat shed at dusk tonight.
Is it usual for the older birds to go off ahead of their offspring? I've never really noticed before. |