It was pure chance that I spotted the Swallows as I was washing up after we had enjoyed a basic but tasty stew. Quite a few took a short rest on the telephone wires just past the end of my garden and spent some time preening their flight feathers. Those birds had shorter tail feathers so I assume they were from this years broods.
This is the first time I have seen so many together. Normally I only see the odd three or four so it was really pleasant standing in the Sunlight watching the speed and agility of these birds as they hunt the insects flying above the trees. They made the rest of the garden birds look like they were flying in slow motion.
I don't know what is wrong with my computer but uploading anything has been a real pain recently. I have been lucky if one photo would upload to Flickr using either the web based or the stand alone uploaders. Things would hang with lots of router activity but no progress or they would time out. Today I found a Firefox add on which uploads to many different services and that seemed to work just fine. Let's hope it keeps working!
I noticed that the swallows had left this morning. I hope they coped with all the rain. It must have been hard for them.
ReplyDeleteI should think they did Adrian. We had some heavy downpours yesterday before the Swallows arrived here,
DeleteI'm going to miss these when they go.
ReplyDeleteHave you tried de-fragging your computer, and clearing out the old files John?
I don't see them very often but they are always a joy to watch, especially when they swoop down at full speed inches from the ground over the cricket field.
DeleteDone all that Keith. Clearing out is a regular thing here, both temporary files and checking registry using CCleaner. De-fragged a few days ago. XP has been running for several years on this PC and I think its got its knickers in a twist!
I read an article the other day John about the Swifts.
ReplyDeleteThey had found that the bad weather had affected the insect population and therefore they wouldn't be able to feed young sufficiently, so they have gone back early and not bothered to nest.
I read that, or similar Roy. Plenty of insects about recently but too late for the early breeders.
DeleteHi John,
ReplyDeleteA lot of Hirrundines have left for warmer climes earlier than normal, but there are still a few hanging around. I have a pair of Swallows still feeding young where I work, hopefully they will be able to grow fast enough to make the long journey home!
On a more sombre note, to add to Roy's comment, Swifts have been seen actually kicking eggs out of nests because they have not been able to find enough food for them, let alone young! Also, a lot of adult birds have been found on the floor because they are too weak to fly due to lack of food. This species is having a tough time of it lately, but this summer has been a nightmare for them!
J
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Swifts seem incredibly wise in the way they adjust their behaviour according to conditions. Let's hope they have a better season next year to boost their numbers.
DeleteThis is indeed a Barn Swallow year here. So many of them everywhere. I've been finally able to capture them on camera. Very tricky because they fly so fast. It must have been quite the sight.
ReplyDeleteWell done Rohrerbot. I have never managed to get a decent flight shot - they are too fast for my slow reactions.
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