Over-active Birds!

SandraI · #1 (**permalink**) 14-06-2007, 07:14 PM

Whilst at work this afternoon I noticed, looking through my office windows, a number of small birds flying around constantly and this went on all afternoon. They were so active and none of them appeared to stop and perch anywhere to enable anyone to identify them properly. At first I thought they were pied wagtails but they also looked like swallows. I work in a Hospital and my office is near a car park which is separated by trees and there is also a small farm yard at the back of my office building. I have never seen this happen before. There were so many, just swooping down and flying around constantly.

What would be the reason for all this activity at this time of day and am I correct in thinking they were swallows?

Unfortunately, I did not have my camera at work with me.

Please forgive my ignorance - I am very new to bird watching and wildlife.

Sandra

seamusagleann · #2 (**permalink**) 14-06-2007, 07:26 PM

could've been house martins or swifts pity you didn't hear them ,flying swifts have a distinctive call

GuyF · #3 (**permalink**) 14-06-2007, 08:23 PM

Swallows, House Martins and Swifts all hunt insects on the wing so what you were watching would've been normal hunting behaviour. They often gather in large groups swooping around after any insect they can find.
Guy

SandraI · #4 (**permalink**) 15-06-2007, 06:30 AM

Thanks very much for the replies. I shall be watching evemts again today and so not very much work is going to be done!!

Sandra

smartie · #5 (**permalink**) 15-06-2007, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seamusagleann

could've been house martins or swifts pity you didn't hear them ,flying swifts have a distinctive call

...which is a high pitched whistling squeal. You can't miss it. One of my books refers to them as "screaming parties" and that just about sums it up.

SandraI · #6 (**permalink**) 15-06-2007, 12:38 PM

Well not quite as much activity from the birds today but plenty of activity in the Department as some of my work colleagues are watching them! We now think it is a choice between house martins or sand martins. In any case it is very interesting to watch them.

Sandra