Housemartins

[Storming]

We regularly get masses of housemartins and swallows gathering on electric cables overlooking a patch of water near our house.

This morning I have seen about half of them flocking round an old poplar tree whilst the others were perched on the wires as usual. In all the time I've seen them here, this is the first time I've seen them single out a tree, flying through and actually landing in the foliage. They seemed very excited about something. Any Ideas?

[henrya]

Well, they'll almost certainly be after food - some insect must be swarming around the tree. Any chance you can get close enough for a look?

henrya

[nightshade]

There are clouds of midge-like insects in the crown of the poplars down the road perhaps this is the sort of attraction

[Wild-Woman]

We are getting huge 'clouds' of gnats in the evenings at the moment. Think our pipistrelles think it's Christmas. They scoop them up and your housemartins may be enjoying the same. ww

[geordie1970]

Don't know much about their feeding habits but it is one of the few bird sounds my pet budgie responds to.Every night between 8 and 9 Wee Dave goes nuts !!