The Last Swallow

Xenophile

Many people note their first sighting of a swallow in Spring. I saw a swallow today in south county Limerick will it be long more before The Last Swallow leaves for warmer climes?

Armchair Andy

Plenty of juveniles (I think) getting in flying practice in Castlemartyr golf club yesterday. Must be time soon :-(

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

They are regularly around in early October. Large numbers still here today.

Del.Monte

Still a good few about Enniscorthy. They are so unlike the Swifts who depart en masse leaving the place deserted until their brief return the following year.

Xenophile

With the change in the weather not so many of them around today. If anyone sees sightings of them in ten days time I would like if they would post here!

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Xenophile wrote: »

With the change in the weather not so many of them around today. If anyone sees sightings of them in ten days time I would like if they would post here!

There are large numbers yet and will be for another 3 weeks at least. Why do you want sightings at the 3rd week in September when we have them at least until early October?

A few days of rain or a northerly air flow isn't going to suddenly make them depart.

pawrick

Plenty around my house near athlone yesterday gathering on the esb lines. Some had been sleeping and nesting in my shed during the summer but don't seem to be for the past few weeks or after the young left the nest

Xenophile

pawrick wrote: »

Plenty around my house near athlone yesterday gathering on the esb lines.

Double check to make sure that these are not telephone lines as many are waiting for a call to say that the coast is clear and that they can set off straight away!

Zoo4m8

One pair have been pushing it timewise here, their four youngsters have just left the nest yesterday and are useing a partition in the shed as a launch pad as they practice their flying...

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Zoo4m8 wrote: »

One pair have been pushing it timewise here, their four youngsters have just left the nest yesterday and are useing a partition in the shed as a launch pad as they practice their flying...

I have a clutch still in the nest but that's not unusual here for mid September.

Tiercel Dave

Zoo4m8 wrote: »

One pair have been pushing it timewise here, their four youngsters have just left the nest yesterday and are useing a partition in the shed as a launch pad as they practice their flying...

Same here, east Galway, 4 fledgelings!.......

Capercaillie

cut silage Sunday and loads around.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

They are still flitting around the fields and bog here. Plenty skimming the river this morning too.

dieseldog

My cat is eagerly awaiting for them to try and fly out.

Woodville56

Plenty of swallows around the north midlands today also - counted c 120 pass overhead this evening in a 10
minute period - way to local reedbed roost I think as flying in SW direction , or possibly passing thru on the move south ?

Xenophile

Saw a few swallows today in South Tipperary, they were still feeding.

Woodville56

Noticing a marked reduction in swallow numbers here in the past couple of days - the "local' swallows appear to have moved on, just a few birds passing through now

axe2grind

1000s (not an exaggeration) in a flock in east Wicklow this evening. Sky was black with them. Only once before have I experienced such numbers before. Blessed

Xenophile

I didn't see any swallows today !

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Plenty here swooping to feed across the bog all afternoon.

Xenophile

Anymore swallows spotted today?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Feeding over the Garden this morning. North East.

Zoo4m8

Xenophile wrote: »

Anymore swallows spotted today?

Yep, one lone swallow near Feakle Co Clare this morning..all mine , East Wicklow, including recent fledglings are gone.. And a neighbour has a nest of four youngsters in a shed as of yesterday..

fits

A few hangers on here in carlow. One pair had a late brood

Woodville56

Xenophile wrote: »

Anymore swallows spotted today?

A few swallows still hawking insects over north midland lakes this morning

Birdnuts

Swallows getting scarce now in the Blessington Area. Was out for a few hours yesterday and saw only one.

Bsal

Seen a couple of Swallows today in Swords mixed in with Starlings catching insects. Starlings are quite good at airborne combat with insects

Mickeroo

Really noticed a difference in numbers this week alright.

OpenYourEyes

Data from the BTO on the reporting rate of Swallows through the year.

Links: 1, 2.

whyulittle

No shortage of them at Boora today, place is still alive with them.

chillin117

Saw a few today in Newbridge park in Donabate

blackbird99

Still plenty around today, Aherlow. Co Tipperary

Armchair Andy

Good few still in North Cork. Mild weather keeping them on.

OpenYourEyes

Saw 30+ around Lough Ree. They're still here, just less widespread and seemingly congregating around more reliable feeding areas (as you'd expect!).

Pinch Flat

OpenYourEyes wrote: »

Saw 30+ around Lough Ree. They're still here, just less widespread and seemingly congregating around more reliable feeding areas (as you'd expect!).

Yeah was in lacarrow at the weekend camping - loads of them about

Woodville56

Just seen one solitary swallow today on my travels !

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

I thought they had gone today as none around the garden or bog. But low and behold, a dozen dipping into the river this evening.

Won't be long now though.

Del.Monte

Small group (10-14) in Enniscorthy at school collection time today.

Xenophile

I saw the last Swallow leaving Ireland today.................."He turned back to me as if to say one Swallow does not make a Summer so I think it's better that I leave."

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Xenophile wrote: »

I saw the last Swallow leaving Ireland today.................."He turned back to me as if to say one Swallow does not make a Summer so I think it's better that I leave."

He was pulling your leg because his mates are here this evening.

OpenYourEyes

An article by Michael Viney about Swallows, and particularly some pure-white Swallows that have been seen this year:

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/when-the-white-swallows-come-back-to-tacumshin-1.2376160

OpenYourEyes

Had 50+ Swallows on Lough Ree today, along with the first appearances of Whooper Swan, Golden Plover, Teal, Snipe and increased numbers of Lapwing. The changing of the seasons!

Woodville56

20+ swallows today over the coast road just west of Kinvara, Galway

Bsal

Around 50 swallows passed overhead my area in Swords at 17:30 today it was a beautiful sight.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

None here, North East, for 3 days now. I think ours are gone.

fits

ours are gone too, near mount leinster. I missed when they left exactly as i was away.

Woodville56

Travelled west to east today ( Galway - north midlands), just one solitary swallow seen in Longford !

fits

we actually had a few around again this fine evening, but Id say they are just passing through on the way to wexford

OpenYourEyes

Only one Swallow on Lough Ree today too!

Woodville56

Seven swallows yesterday morning flying south- Connemara coast

Woodville56

Just 2 swallows today, Inishbofin island