Swallows leaving it late

[shirl]

We still have sand martins at Chatsworth (well yesterday) and today I have seen swallows and house martins, but I reckon they are getting ready. The swallows seem to be grouping together on telephone wires so won't be long now. Always sad, but then again something to look forward to next year.

Shirl

[roobarrb]

Swallow update - three tiny chicks peeping out of the nest today. Meanwhile, lots of adults swallows grouping together on the telephone wires. Can't see how these tiny chicks are going to be ready for their big migration in time. Fingers crossed.

[aeshna5]

A steady stream of hirundines, especially Swallows, headed south today. Most (if not all) of the London observers seem to have recorded them + I counted c120 over my local patch this morning with small numbers of Sand + House Martins.

[~T~]

Saw quite a few flying around Shawlands on the outskirts of Glasgow today. Seems there are still loads of insects flying around so they must have enough to eat.

[roobarrb]

Two surviving young swallows are flying around the barn today. One visibly smaller and weaker than the other. One dead chick on the floor. Can't help feeling the adult pair have put themselves at risk in a futile cause. I felt really sorry for them last week as the tail end of Hurrican Katia hit and they were still desperatley trying to ride the gusts to catch insects for their young. They were using energy which would probably have been more useful on their migration. The weather is decidedly autumnal so let's hope we don't get any early frosts for the next week or two and the 'family' makes it.
It always surprises me how attached people - even a grumpy old cynic like me - get to swallows nesting on their property. I just wish I could help. I'd happily box them up and send them by airline to South Africa if I could!

[nikolai_avenger]

Originally Posted by roobarrb

It always surprises me how attached people - even a grumpy old cynic like me - get to swallows nesting on their property.

Could be because they're superb birds, easy on the eye, relaxing to watch, generally quite confiding. Also that the fact they are going to be leaving at the end of summer endears them even more to me. All this without them nesting on my property!

Best regards, Another Grumpy Old Cynic.