1st Swallows of 2010

CaptainHook · #1 (**permalink**) 07-04-2010, 08:40 AM

Here in Lincolnshire we had the first swallow come back to the nest on the
4th April. This is 10 days earlier than previous sightings. Anuone else spotted this years returnees?

CaptainHook

glsammy · #2 (**permalink**) 07-04-2010, 08:43 AM

Firstly welcome to WAB.

As for swallows, not yet. I was at one of my favourite sites on Sunday, no sign yet. We're further inland though so not surprising. We have got Sand Martins, which is more than we got last year.

CaptainHook · #3 (**permalink**) 07-04-2010, 08:48 AM

Graham,

Thank you for your welcome.
So excited about the swallow I forgot to say Hi! to everyone!

My wife has pointed out my error - the swallow was actually 3 weeks earlier than previously. But I note from the BBC website that plants are flowering earlier this year. So despite the cold winter things are warming up!

Peter

elvisoneill · #4 (**permalink**) 07-04-2010, 09:52 AM

Hello forum

This is my first post,having enjoyed following the discussions for
some months now.

I saw my first swallow of the summer by River Lagan in freshly warm Belfast this morning.

It had a long ,straight stretch of river insects all to itself!

RobSutton · #5 (**permalink**) 07-04-2010, 10:15 AM

A welcome from me for you too and to add that I had three swallows around Malham Tarn last night, not much else in terms of summer visitors though - a chiffchaff last week and a few wheatear and that's it.

Johnny Redgate · #6 (**permalink**) 07-04-2010, 10:28 AM

First swallows seen at the farm here on the Shrops/Wales border yesterday.

earthdragon64 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-04-2010, 10:34 AM

2 lots of 2 swallows seen locally on Sunday the 21st March this year, a lot earlier than I've previously seen them. I haven't seen any since though.

Steve B · #8 (**permalink**) 07-04-2010, 01:15 PM

April 2nd here in Taunton, and seen several times since including maybe 10/12 on one occasion.

SuzieandFlo · #9 (**permalink**) 11-04-2010, 06:06 PM

I saw my first Swallows today at the farm where I keep my pony

I also saw a Skylark and a Buzzard at the same location. The farm is quite close to the Forth Estuary , up here in Bonnie Scotland

.

Intrepid · #10 (**permalink**) 21-04-2010, 06:29 AM

Yesterday evening went for a walk around Ringstead lakes, East Northants, near the site of the old railway station. There were many, many swallows flying about, making the most of the abundant insects. There's clearly many more around than I had thought! To think they have flown all the way from the Sahara and beyond and still have the energy to do all of that flitting and darting about! Amazing!