Swallows arrival 2011 (Was I seeing things???)

Cardynal

Up to a dozen on the Barrow this morning.

amerden

Just seen my first swallow of 2011 at Cork (Railway Station)

Connacht

My first Swallows in Mayo today.
Other reports from Mayo 12 days ago.

John mac

The sand martins are back since Tuesday 5th, in Foxford.

weisses

Yep they are back ...spotted 2 on wednesday evening

Mothman

One singing overhead this morning.

Did see a possible on 28th March, but it was very high and I couldn't rule out Sand Martin.

littlebug

Still no sign of mine yet. I first saw them on this day last year so I've been keeping my eyes peeled.

Damer

saw my first swallows this morning!

John mac

5 swallows overhead this morning high up, heard them first .

V Bull

Yesterday in Leabeg, Tullamore area approx 15 - 20 Sandmartins & about 5 - 9 Swallows.



The Sandmartins made these burrows/holes into the bank in the morning but then just disappeared, not a sign of them in the afternoon..

littlebug

Saw my first two swallows today

Boomshakalak

2 arrived here in North Donegal on friday 8th April but haven`t seen them or any more since.

Fuzzy Clam

None here at the house yet but a lot at Lilliput near Mullingar on Thursday

Bsal

Seen Swallows around Dublin Airport and Skerries today.

homerhop

First swallow at the turn off for Limerick uni on the new motorway

tfitzgerald

Like the op I was amazed to see some swallows in Limerick yesterday it picked up my mood to see them:)

borderlinemeath

Mine arrived this morning!:D

Definately some of last years brood, they're swooping in and out of the boilerhouse where last years nest is - I wonder will they do running repairs or build a new one from scratch? They added an "extension" onto the original nest for the second clutch last year!

Great to see them back!

E39MSport

borderlinemeath wrote: »

Mine arrived this morning!:D

Definately some of last years brood, they're swooping in and out of the boilerhouse where last years nest is - I wonder will they do running repairs or build a new one from scratch? They added an "extension" onto the original nest for the second clutch last year!

Great to see them back!

Delighted for you.

I'm hoping 'ours' will come back after their absence last year and mite infested previous Summer.

May you have a great Summer enjoying your Swallows.

Durnish

Swallows here in the Portnoo barn. They seem to be young ones, short tails. Do the young ones arrive first, in a hurry to stake a claim somewhere?

homolumo

'Mine' came back about 10 days ago. In and out of their usual spot in the old shed, I even painted it for them. Just hoping the cat doesn't bring the nest down like last year (despite my best efforts).

littlebug

Though I've seen very small numbers of swallows (ie singles here and there) they haven't arrived back in full force here yet.
I read somewhere that the males arrive first and females two weeks later?

borderlinemeath

littlebug wrote: »

Though I've seen very small numbers of swallows (ie singles here and there) they haven't arrived back in full force here yet.
I read somewhere that the males arrive first and females two weeks later?

Dunno, never heard that - but mine are definately a pair - swooping in and out and checking out the old nest - they usually do this for a few weeks then reuse or build. I've been checking it but they haven't "refurbished" it yet - there's a couple of feathers in it from last year.

Last year we went away for a week in mid May - when we left there was a few mud splatters on a light fitting that was attached to a beam - by the time we got back we had a full mud nest with one egg - and three more eggs followed in subsequent days.

Bookworm85

Our housemartins arrived today :D

Loads of them nest in our estate and all our neigbours 'lodgers' arrived nearly 2 weeks ago. Last years nest came down during some bad weather during the winter, and i thought that our pair might have decided to build elsewhere.

But Lo and behold they arrived at last watchin them going back and forth for the last while with gobs full of mud.

E39MSport

There have been 3 yearly broods in our porch up until year before last when some of you may remember a mite infestation caused a disaster.

Last year they returned but didn't build - just curiously hung around quite a lot and perched on their usual camera wire in the porch.

Well, they have just returned again and are very vocal in the porch as I write.

Here's hoping ! I have 2 nest cups up too

E39MSport

Huge influx over the weekend in North Kildare.

Mothman

I've had a pair or 2 checking out my place over the weekend. Hoping some will stay.

mr.wiggle

Hi,
Tried positing earlier, don't know what happened. Hope it doesn't pop-up after I post again !
Last year , late on in the season had our first swallows nest built between our living room and sun-room.( Very close to the living room wall vent.)
Sadly the chicks hatched during that horrible month of rain we had in August, and they both died . Me and the kids gave them a proper burial , and were left waiting in hope for the parents return.
Lo and behold, back they came in april, and a few days ago, after three weeks of listening to the excited chicks being fed, i was able to observe the chicks being called and coaxed from their nest by the parents. They are still flying around the house/ garden . Great to see.
Will we get a second brood?
W.

Mothman

That's great mr.w
Sadly I've none...as yet

You have time for a 2nd AND a 3rd brood

lolie

Popped into the shed earlier to do a bit of work and was about to switch on the plug when i seen this pair. Thought feck it it can wait and left them to it.

Grid.

Have pair in my garage, think they had 3 broods last year and another tweeting away as I type, if they keep returning I'll have to charge them rent!!:D