One swallow does not a summer make... is that how the saying goes? Well, we
spotted dozens across the Easter weekend around the countryside of Durham.
Really nice to see them back, swooping low across the fields as they look
for insects on the wing and a glorious weekend of sunshine to boot.

DAVID

David Allan wrote:

One swallow does not a summer make... is that how the saying goes? Well, we
spotted dozens across the Easter weekend around the countryside of Durham.
Really nice to see them back, swooping low across the fields as they look
for insects on the wing and a glorious weekend of sunshine to boot.

The ground is warm and wet. They will have a good year for a change.

We have swans on th pond here. The female has been brooding for a
month. Cherry blossom and the early flowers are out. Is winter nearly
over so soon?

spotted dozens across the Easter weekend around the countryside of Durham.

Last weekend we sat on the cliff top east of Sidmouth and watched the
swallows arriving after flying across the Channel. There must have been
dozens arriving every second, constantly flying in off the sea (and that was
only where we were sat).

The total numbers must have been incredible and yet there are only a few
swallows around here (saw first swallow 2 weeks ago) at the moment - they
must have all headed up your way!
________________
Nick G
Exe Valley, Devon
50 m amsl

"David Allan" wrote in message
...
One swallow does not a summer make... is that how the saying goes? Well,
we spotted dozens across the Easter weekend around the countryside of
Durham. Really nice to see them back, swooping low across the fields as
they look for insects on the wing and a glorious weekend of sunshine to
boot.

DAVID


First swallow spotted here this afternoon, just before I cut the grass for
the first time.

--
David Mitchell, 70m amsl, Langtoft, East Riding of Yorkshire.

Nick G wrote:

spotted dozens across the Easter weekend around the countryside of Durham.

Last weekend we sat on the cliff top east of Sidmouth and watched the
swallows arriving after flying across the Channel. There must have been
dozens arriving every second, constantly flying in off the sea (and that was
only where we were sat).

How did they know?

Or did you just drop lucky?

Nick G wrote:
spotted dozens across the Easter weekend around the countryside of Durham.

Last weekend we sat on the cliff top east of Sidmouth and watched the
swallows arriving after flying across the Channel. There must have been
dozens arriving every second, constantly flying in off the sea (and that was
only where we were sat).

The total numbers must have been incredible and yet there are only a few
swallows around here (saw first swallow 2 weeks ago) at the moment - they
must have all headed up your way!

50 years ago I used to see the horizon darkened with birds. Not the
region above my head but the wood in the distance where they were
roosting. It wasn't a regular occurrence and I don't have a clue what
season or species but I do remember them.

Birds, boy and boughs all gone now. It was heartbreaking going back
years later.

One swallow does not a summer make... is that how the saying
goes? Well, we spotted dozens across the Easter weekend around
the countryside of Durham. Really nice to see them back,
swooping low across the fields as they look for insects on the
wing and a glorious weekend of sunshine to boot.

Also spotted several swooping along the face of the raised beach
at Lunan Bay in Angus on Easter Sunday, so they had got even
further than Northern England by Easter. Great to see them back.

Anne