Swallows preparing to leave us

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Very large flocks in the North East on Sunday. Thought they included birds from further North about the head South but both ringed birds examined were from only 8 miles away.

tfitzgerald

I was amazed to read that the swallows can cover up to 200 miles a day I would love to know if this is true as I think this would be a fantastic feat

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Migration Northwards is much quicker than the return jouney South. Going South can be quite leisurely with plenty of feeding along the way. Going North is a race to get the best breeding sites and mates.

Birdnuts

mr.wiggle wrote: »

Mallow swallows gone since yesterday, good luck to them.
Always makes me sad this time of year.:(

Same here - only a few around these parts now:(

Durnish

I wish I could be like Thumbelina and fly south on a swallow's back, to warmer climes.

E39MSport

Still a good few young ones with adults about the area here. Don't recall seeing them locally this late over the past 6 seasons I've been here.

littlebug

Notable absence of swallows out on my walk this morning. All gone .

angeldaisy

We were enjoying the swallows flying around the back garden this morning at breakfast time. My 6yr old was fascinated by the numbers gathering on the overhead lines in the fields. (Limerick)

effluent

I haven't seen any swallows in my area lately. The swallows in my shed had a second clutch, about three chicks. Whenever I go into the shen in the morning, the three chicks are there.

I don't be around that much to see if there are other adults around, I really hope their parents are still around. Could these chicks be too young to make the flight? Would it be unusual for parents to leave these chicks behind?:(

E39MSport

Subsequen to my early post yesterday there were flocks of up to about 70 birds about the adjoining fields yesterday afternoon. Delighted. Mostly young birds so the late bloomers this year are doing well it would appear.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

effluent wrote: »

I haven't seen any swallows in my area lately. The swallows in my shed had a second clutch, about three chicks. Whenever I go into the shen in the morning, the three chicks are there.

I don't be around that much to see if there are other adults around, I really hope their parents are still around. Could these chicks be too young to make the flight? Would it be unusual for parents to leave these chicks behind?:(

Unfledged Chicks would be dead in 2 days if not being fed. It would be unusual for parents to leave a nest like this. Once they fledge they will make the flight South as they will feed and be fed as they go. It is not uncommon for clutches to fledge late September.

E39MSport

I had an abandoned nest with very lively chicks 2 years ago at the end of the season when the weather turned.

They stopped chirping into the second day.

Broke my heart

slowburner

Martin Easy Chest wrote: »

Very large flocks in the North East on Sunday. Thought they included birds from further North about the head South but both ringed birds examined were from only 8 miles away.

Martin Easy Chest. I'm really curious about how nets are placed to recapture ringed birds. Any swallows that have been migrating past where I am seem to be well above the trees; although you do get the odd one flitting about between the trees on a windy day or if there's a hatch of insects. Of course I will understand if you would prefer not to post such details - in a former professional incarnation I used to come across mist nets in hedgerows from time to time.

If it's of any interest to anyone, I seem to be located on the junction of an important migratory route with birds from the west joining birds from the north. I have no way of counting but I would estimate that several thousand birds have passed by. There are still a few stragglers.

borderlinemeath

Martin Easy Chest wrote: »

Very large flocks in the North East on Sunday. Thought they included birds from further North about the head South but both ringed birds examined were from only 8 miles away.

Mine were gone from last weekend. They had arrived on Good Friday this year. The parents had continued to nest in the outhouse after the last batch of chicks fledged about 3 weeks ago. Had been checking daily to see when they would leave and they weren't there on Sunday night.

Even out walking the dogs last week through untilled fields there were many swooping about getting fed, but on Tuesday (this week) through the same fields there wasn't one to be seen.

Hopefully they'll make a safe migration and return next spring.

elaney

I was sure they were gone too but was out on my walk yesterday and
seen two swallows flying one after another enjoying the sun. I live between two woods so we would always have a huge amount of swallows.
Felt like spring again when you see the first swallow of the year.

ppink

It is wayyy too quiet here this morning:(:(.

Is there any website that tracks their journeys so we can see where they are?
Roll on spring...

Arequipa

I would be interested in following them too!
They are fantastic, beautiful birds:
They are a true sign of the arrival of Spring & Autumn.
I could sit with a cup of tea wTching them for ages.

I think Brent Geese were satellite tracked on their journey here:would be cool to track the swallows.

Some year in the future I might follow their trip south to South Africa..... I would love some Winter sun!

Arequipa.

E39MSport

Theres a recent book called 'A Single Swallow' following a migration from SA to Wales. Bit waffly but I liked it.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Over 40,000 Swallows in a flock in Dorset this week! Reported to be moving about the area but not heading to sea yet.

slowburner

Has anyone else noticed the paradox of swallows starting their migrations in strong southerly winds?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Only if they were heading South, and out to sea, in a strong wind. This they don't do. This is why they gather in large numbers and hang around areas - waiting on the correct conditions. 30Km per hour winds are no problem to them either.

I predict Swallows leaving to sea, from Britain & Ireland, in large numbers early on Saturday 1st October. Air mass is forecast as suitable and flocks are gathering.

trebor28

Martin Easy Chest wrote: »

Over 40,000 Swallows in a flock in Dorset this week! Reported to be moving about the area but not heading to sea yet.

poor oul flies dont stand a chance!

E39MSport

Plagued with midges last night :mad:

ppink

40,000:eek::eek:

Any pics of them I wonder.

now that would be a way to wake up in the morning with 40000 of them:p

siledee

Last saw swallows on 25th and they were still feeding fledglings.

House martins seem to have gone as well. Ive not seen them in over a week.

slowburner

I counted about 130 a minute passing by here yesterday for about an hour. Then nothing for about an hour. Then about 40 a minute for about half an hour. Could have been going on a lot longer than the period i was observing.

slowburner

Another migration today, but this time heading west. All the other migrations I have noted have been heading southward. First time in ten years that I've seen this.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Heading west is just a flock on the move - not a Migration.

slowburner

Martin Easy Chest wrote: »

Heading west is just a flock on the move - not a Migration.

What is the difference?

Arequipa

Good morning! Just back from Dollymount Beach... Mild & misty day.... Spotted 2 Martins heading South East!