Swallows allready?

[bounce]

Acording to the times today (nature notes), a swallow has been spotted somewhere down south (sorry cant remember the town) , seems like nature does not bother with the callender what with all the spring like activities going on at the moment.

[ChrisJB]

I think there has been a House Martin seen in Cornwall in recent days too.

Regards, Chris

[hank]

This would surely be a record for the earliest ( wouldn't it ? ).
I shall assume then, that we're gonna have a scorching summer !!

[Kayleigh]

Someone I know thought they heard a cuckoo..But not sure its a bit early..But you never know with climate change

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Someone I know thought they heard a cuckoo..But not sure its a bit early..But you never know with climate change

These unseasonal Cuckoos almost invariably turn out to be Collared Doves, which at times can sound a bit like one!

[AndyC]

Originally Posted by hank

This would surely be a record for the earliest ( wouldn't it ? ).

No!
They were recorded in Somerset in January last year. There was a thread on here about it somewhere.


Andy

[AndyC]

Or it might have been early February

Swallows? Gulp!

[Adam Cheeseman]

Swallows and House Martins have been over-wintering along the south coast this winter.

Cheers,

Adam

[The Black Rabbit]

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

Swallows and House Martins have been over-wintering along the south coast this winter.

Cheers,

Adam

Hey Adam.
Is this new this year?
Or have they been doing it for some years?
Cheers
Doug

[Adam Cheeseman]

I know that a handful of summer visitors have been spending whole years here for quite some time now, whether it's always the same individuals I can't say, but I wouldn't have thought so. For instance, we currently have a Turtle Dove, a Yellow Wagtail, a Willow Warbler and a Stone Curlew amongst others over-wintering, and it is quite normal to see the odd Sandwich Tern or two on the south coast in winter now, particularly at Dungeness and around The Solent.
Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs have long been near-resident species in some parts now for many years.

I think with warmer winters becoming more frequent we will probably see a movement north of wintering quarters for some species.

Cheers,

Adam

[Reptilian]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

These unseasonal Cuckoos almost invariably turn out to be Collared Doves, which at times can sound a bit like one!

That caught me out the other day!

[Bullseye]

I',m sure I 've heard that a few swallows and martins overwinter in Cornwall, or at least try to, 'twould make sense if they get a mild winter,not burning up fat on migration,not so far to travel for breeding etc, there's always a few individules that break the rules.However, if a really cold winter they could perish or if they had enough fat, travel to the Scillies?.Anyone here from the Scillie (however you spell it ! ) Isles?
I have seen blackcaps and another "little brown job" warbler, that I think was a chiff-chaff in winter.

[tufftie]

I've seen blackcaps n the garden this winter. Have friends in Cornwall - will have to ask them about the early martin later....

[The Black Rabbit]

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

I know that a handful of summer visitors have been spending whole years here for quite some time now, whether it's always the same individuals I can't say, but I wouldn't have thought so. For instance, we currently have a Turtle Dove, a Yellow Wagtail, a Willow Warbler and a Stone Curlew amongst others over-wintering, and it is quite normal to see the odd Sandwich Tern or two on the south coast in winter now, particularly at Dungeness and around The Solent.
Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs have long been near-resident species in some parts now for many years.

I think with warmer winters becoming more frequent we will probably see a movement north of wintering quarters for some species.

Cheers,

Adam

Thanks Adam.
I am well aware of come of our overwintering "summer visitors" such as Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs, but had no idea that the odd Swallow or Martin did the same ...
Cheers
Doug

[Chas]

Just to add my sightings for information and in the interests of science: This winter I had a blackcap (male) on 16 November in my small town garden, feeding on an apple which had remained on the tree................ I knew my record keeping would be useful! Only last week I observed and photographed a pair of Chiffchaffs close to home and I have seen them since. If anyone lives in my neck of the woods and would like to know where just ask! I am in Exeter. In fact great week for me. I have Seen Dippers, Cattle Egret, Grey Plover, Marsh/ Willow Tit, Avocets.
I keep a blog if anyone wants to check it out, I keep it updated and record interesting visitors to my garden, birds and insects mainly.

Wildlife in a Suburban Garden: Wildlife in my garden.

[Wild-Woman]

[quote=Adam Cheeseman;238575]Swallows and House Martins have been over-wintering along the south coast this winter.

Cheers,

Adam[/QUOTE
I'd be interested in knowing what their diet has been over winter?

[ChrisJB]

A Sand Martin has been seen down south today, plus a Wheatear in the North Riding (not a bike or horse or anything else like that, I meant Yorkshire ).

Regards, Chris

[Mr Mag00]

wont the swallows be overweight without the long flight home and back