Lone House Martin.

[demicav]

Does anyone know when House Martins usually migrate ? I haven't seen any for a while then today out of the blue I saw one all on it's todd. Looked a bit lost .

[paulchandler6]

Still getting House Martins passing over here. They normally start moving off early August in some numbers and thru September, with lesser numbers into October. Have also seen a few in November.

Paul

[Pigeon feather]

I have seen house martins around recently too, I don't think they have quite started the journey yet, although it did leave me wondering they obviously leave later than the swifts!

[paulchandler6]

I've noted over the years that "my" Swifts leave on avarge on August 6th (arrive May 5th). With a few stragglers of late breeders leaving up to a few weeks later.
I recall reading somewhere that Swifts are influenced by the hours of daylight available and therefore arrive and depart roughly the same time each year.
Having said that I had 2 Swifts arrive on April 17th this year, 2-3 weeks earlier than normal. Have also seen Common Swift in November in Scotland.

Paul

[Nicola Main]

I have House Martins still nesting opposite my work, is this normal? They are flying high around the house in small groups (more like what the Swifts did earlier on in the year), Swallows too. You can definitely tell the change in the air between the end of summer and the beginning of autumn/winter.

[demicav]

Originally Posted by Nicola Main

I have House Martins still nesting opposite my work, is this normal? They are flying high around the house in small groups (more like what the Swifts did earlier on in the year), Swallows too. You can definitely tell the change in the air between the end of summer and the beginning of autumn/winter.

My goodness, they are still nesting . Mmmm, I'm also wondering if this is normal and if the chicks will be ok being so young when the cold weather comes in.

[ChrisJB]

There were still House martins in our neighbourhood this evening. Last year they left on the 26th Sept. I once saw two stragglers on the 1st Nov' several years ago.

Regards, Chris

[clover green]

The week before last, I noticed a lone housemartin flying around a nest site area. This did puzzle and concern me, as all the other housemartins have long gone, but this lone one was flying about and then flew up a couple of times to one of the nests situated in that location. I did think it strange, especially as it was on it's own, but I have just read that some stay on through october & even to november.

[epops]

theres still 1 or 2 about our way we saw them this afternoon

[Africa]

This thread made me think, do you know about Woodland Trust | nature's calendar
This is a site set up by the Woodland Trust that allows you to enter your phenological observations such as first/last martin/swift/swallow/blackberries, etc. It is a superbly organised website with interactive maps, and supplies much of the info you are interested in, including all the observations by British recorders from previous years. I have been submitting my records there for 4 years now, I truly recommend you join, and it is free!