Last swallows of Summer?

[jim]

Walking the Dorset Coastal Path on Saturday, we came to the cliffs above Dancing Ledges in Purbeck to find the air filled with thousands of swallows ready to fly back to South Africa. Up 'til now I've noted when I see the first of the year, (earliest has been the beginning of April - 4th not the 1st!) I know that one swallow doesn't make a summer but it lets me know it's on the way. Sunday and today I've scanned the sky and not seen any at all. I haven't so far recorded when I've seen the last one - how do you know it's the last you're going to see! - but I did wonder if anyone, anywhere in the country can still observe them. Ishers further South could join in, tracking progress of the migration.

If we did this next Spring, on the return flight, it would help put us in contact with the approaching season knowing the world was waking up again. Make us that bit more cheerful!

So, when was the last time YOU saw a swallow?

Love and Peace
Jim

[Millymollymandy]

Hi, I mentioned on another thread that I saw some - 3 to be precise! - 2 mornings ago now. Really most of this month I have kept thinking that they have gone then see a few more stragglers flying over me in a SE direction (I'm in NW France). It's been quite a while since they were actually 'there' in my garden - flying around and swooping over the pond for a drink and perching on my veg patch fence (of course I can't remember the precise date but end of August I think). I really miss them when they are not there and the sky seems very empty, because we have loads of them over our garden and the fields surrounding us in summer.

[jim]

Dear Millymollymandy,

Yeh, the end of August always seems the time the last swifts are round here. They come very close to the ground at high speed and scream as they swoop past. Swallows on the other hand leave us about a month later, as Saturdays' observation bears out, the 2 or 3 you've seen over the last few days are probably part of the squadrons I noticed in Dorset. After all, we're only 70 odd miles from NW France.

Going to have to wait 'til Spring for them to return now. Wonder if you'll see any before me .......?

Love and Peace
Jim

[Shirley]

I haven't seen any for a week or so now - I miss them too. Still got some housemartins dotted about though.

[jim]

Dear Shirley,
More than we've got, must keep my eyes open in case!

Looking forward to them coming back, I'll let you know when I see them cross the south coast .....

Love and Peace
Jim

[Millymollymandy]

I had a look this morning when I was in the village because around the church it was teeming with swallows, swifts and house martins in the summer. They've all gone and it is very quiet!

[Millymollymandy]

About 8 swallows flitting about over my house and garden Saturday late afternoon 4th October!!!

[ina]

We've had very few all summer; can't remember when they finally disappeared altogether.

[Green Aura]

Just been out for a fag and seen a lone swift. Don't know if it's been left behind or if the unusually good weather we've had up here has confused it, but it looked well enough flitting about.

[Green Aura]

Me, again. Swifts have now increased to four at teatime. We've still got a few midges too! What's going on?

[Millymollymandy]

We have midges all year round, more's the pity. I didn't know that yours migrated - obviously to me.

[ina]

We have midges all year round, more's the pity. I didn't know that yours migrated - obviously to me.

I think they just kind of hibernate when it gets colder. If they are still around, it's obviously warm enough for them.

[jim]

Meanwhile, down in sunny South Hampshire .... plenty of midges and other flying insects, no swallows!

Love and Peace
Jim

[slithy]

I saw one on Saturday 10th October and realised I had'nt seen any for sometime.
Near Cairncastle Northern Ireland.