Swallows

**WeeBurd** · 20-Apr-10, 19:58

I was delighted to see my first swallows of the year today - two lovely wee ones, flitting aboot over the river in Halkirk.

I know they're nothing fancy, but I think they're adoreable, and they serve as a nice wee reminder that summer's on it's way!

**whaligoechiel** · 20-Apr-10, 21:26

On my way to work this morning on the road up to Weydale a single House Martin crossed over the road in front of me against wind and snow Poor wee sod not much food on the go just now
Was just going to post if this was one of the first that had come back to Caithness
This is about the time for the first to show up
The Schoid storm is living up its reputation as normal but the sun will
shine next week
Then wait for the May Gobs

**wifie** · 21-Apr-10, 00:56

Originally Posted by WeeBurd

I was delighted to see my first swallows of the year today - two lovely wee ones, flitting aboot over the river in Halkirk.

I know they're nothing fancy, but I think they're adoreable, and they serve as a nice wee reminder that summer's on it's way!

Yer lovely and positive Weeburd!

Originally Posted by whaligoechiel

The Schoid storm is living up its reputation as normal but the sun will shine next week
Then wait for the May Gobs

LOL mibbe no so much positivity from you whaligoechiel (great name btw) but you have a point none-the-less!

**moses** · 21-Apr-10, 12:18

theyre back early, is that a sign of a good summer?

**the_count** · 21-Apr-10, 19:12

hmmm 20th .. that was yesterday lol .... it snowed in wick and castletown so if its a sign of an early spring/summer where is it. Having said that there were a couple down near the sea wall in wick today, its always good to see em back

**flojo** · 23-Apr-10, 23:33

Seen a group of 20 or more at the boating pond in Thurso on Monday. Think they were HouseMartins.

**Stack Rock** · 24-Apr-10, 10:05

Usually about the May day holiday weekend before they usually arrive in Staxigoe. Insects thye feed on won't get going until it warms up.

**Stack Rock** · 24-Apr-10, 18:28

Originally Posted by Stack Rock

Usually about the May day holiday weekend before they usually arrive in Staxigoe. Insects thye feed on won't get going until it warms up.

Spoke too soon, first one spotted on my telephone line 30 mins ago

**nemosia** · 26-Apr-10, 21:51

Obviously there are a individual birds that arrive early or leave late. I've seen a swallow over Victoria walk on 23 March but this table from reports received by the county recorder gives a better idea of typical arrival and departure dates.

**Kenn** · 27-Apr-10, 00:42

Saw a few around Lybster today.

**Gronnuck** · 27-Apr-10, 19:57

We're still waiting to see if the Swallows and House Martins return to the eaves of our house and garage; a sure sign that summer has arrived.

They busied themselves last year and many of the nests had two broods. OK they leave a bit of a mess but cleaning it up at the end of summer is a small price to pay for such wonderful lodgers.
It's always a great disappointment when they leave but its lovely to know they'll be back.

**dafi** · 27-Apr-10, 20:01

We saw Swallows and Snowbuntings on sunday within an half an hour of each other! A real sort of crossover of seasons.

**greener** · 28-Apr-10, 01:13

Saw 2 this afternoon on the phone line great to see them back so early

**Claw** · 28-Apr-10, 09:35

Our dogs will be delighted they spend the summer chasing swallows with the swallows taking the complete micky with them. Great to watch

**greener** · 29-Apr-10, 00:56

Originally Posted by Claw

Our dogs will be delighted they spend the summer chasing swallows with the swallows taking the complete micky with them. Great to watch

Would be great to see, any chance of getting a photo or 2

**pegasus** · 09-May-10, 15:56

My sister never failed to keep me updated when the first swallow of the year arrived to nest under her eaves. Since I lived in suburbia at the time, this only served to intensify my longing to see the wee swallows once more. She also never forgot to tell me when the last swallow departed for distant shores.