Our housemartins have arived

ILuvCowparsely

ILuvCowparsely

Well-Known Member
Joined
5 April 2010
Messages
15,069
Visit site
:D

within the last couple hours . Some dont like them I do ,yes they do their business around but the first rains wash it away . Same time same place every year
 
We saw our first swallow of the year here yesterday :) they drive me nuts pooing all over the light switches in the stables, and I have to move the yard radio for a few months, but I LOVE having them here and am always despondent when they leave.
 
Hi my first year of running a yard I had about 10 swallows arrive at the beginning of April, after a few years I had someone from the RSPB come in and ring them. One year we had at least 65 babies, I used to watch them arrive slowly in April and then leave in September/October, I looked forward to them coming and missed them when they left. After 14 years I retired and the one thing I miss the most is not seeing the swallows. Their numbers had dwindled a bit and the last year a number of babies got taken by the magpies. A beautiful bird with loads of character, who undertake an amazing journey twice a year. Yvonne
 
ygale said:
Hi my first year of running a yard I had about 10 swallows arrive at the beginning of April, after a few years I had someone from the RSPB come in and ring them. One year we had at least 65 babies, I used to watch them arrive slowly in April and then leave in September/October, I looked forward to them coming and missed them when they left. After 14 years I retired and the one thing I miss the most is not seeing the swallows. Their numbers had dwindled a bit and the last year a number of babies got taken by the magpies. A beautiful bird with loads of character, who undertake an amazing journey twice a year. Yvonne
Click to expand...

are they swallows or house martins???? there is a difference even though they look similar
 
We also have some swallows - this is earlier than usual. I also like to see them - a sign that summer is nearly here.
 
A pair of swallows arrived back over a week ago; poor things must have had a fright with the frosty nights. Love to see them back here and we have house martins too (but they're not back yet, nearly always a fortnight behind the swallows) because there's a pond in front of the house which they need. Funnily enough, the swallows always use the stables and buildings and the house martins always use the house which I'm glad about as I love to hear them chuntering to each other through the night; it's a sad day when they go back in autumn.
 
ygale said:
Hi my first year of running a yard I had about 10 swallows arrive at the beginning of April, after a few years I had someone from the RSPB come in and ring them. One year we had at least 65 babies, I used to watch them arrive slowly in April and then leave in September/October, I looked forward to them coming and missed them when they left. After 14 years I retired and the one thing I miss the most is not seeing the swallows. Their numbers had dwindled a bit and the last year a number of babies got taken by the magpies. A beautiful bird with loads of character, who undertake an amazing journey twice a year. Yvonne
Click to expand...

My sentiments, exactly. Ours finally arrived on the 13 April, which is the latest by 5 days since my records began 17 years ago. There are only 3 right now. The 13th has been a very emotional day, this year. I lost my dear old Shire friend, Caroline, in the wee hours, two days before her 19th birthday. Later that morning, the first swallow appeared, and then I heard the first cuckoo of Spring...loss and renewal.
 
Hi

So sorry to hear your about your shire, I sympathise with you as I lost my mare who I had had 17 years recently. The new birth of the swallows when the young come along is lovely it is so rewarding and such a priviledge to see them as they grow, help them when they fall out of the nest, put them back and then see them all in a row on the hayrack is lovely. Loss and renewal are so apt words. It is a priviledge to see the swallows and also when horses are euthanased being with them is like the end of a journey, the relationship has been good and rewarding during their life and then we are with them when they go, to me this is so important and completes the circle. yvonne
 
Maesfen said:
A pair of swallows arrived back over a week ago; poor things must have had a fright with the frosty nights. Love to see them back here and we have house martins too (but they're not back yet, nearly always a fortnight behind the swallows) because there's a pond in front of the house which they need. Funnily enough, the swallows always use the stables and buildings and the house martins always use the house which I'm glad about as I love to hear them chuntering to each other through the night; it's a sad day when they go back in autumn.
Click to expand...

I used to love it when they arrived, I always seemed to be on the yard when I saw the first one, I always found it so sad when they left, knowing that winter was coming, it always seemed a long time before I would see them again. Unfortunately I no longer run the yard where they came for 14 years and so I miss them but I have lovely memories and photos of them which I will treasure. One year we had 69 babies I had them ringed you can imagine how busy it was but I always found it so remarkable that they survived the journey and amazed at the ability of nature to keep sending them back to me.
 
One pair of swallows here tonight arrived between five and nine not sure there 'ours' we had some in for B+B last year stayed two nights and left are where along ten days later I love them my groom calls them the little cr*****s as she cleans up after them.
 
Love the swallows and house martins we have both only seen swallows though some are back some yet to arrive. Saw the first lot 10 days ago.
We never have cuckoos though.
It gives you a lift when the swallows are back :)
 
We have house martins that nest in our barn and I SWEAR they use me for target practice. Good reason for always wearing a hat around horses :o
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top