cindars
Well-Known Member
Has anyone got any swallows yet,we missed them last year and looks like we may miss them this year as well.
Swallows
- Thread starter cindars
- Start date
EventingMum
Well-Known Member
Ours have been here since April.
Pinkvboots
Well-Known Member
Ours came back in May.
windswoo
Well-Known Member
Had our house martins since end of April, sounds like something has happened to the nesting sites around by you if they haven't come back?
Pearlsasinger
Up in the clouds
We didn't have any last year and haven't seen many flying around locally this year, so were very surprised to find fledglings flying around in our stable block, practising before braving the outside world where magpies lurk.
Surbie
Well-Known Member
Yes, ours came in early May. Lovely to see them zipping around the fields.
Sandstone1
Well-Known Member
They are building a nest here.
SEL
Well-Known Member
Only half the normal amount - wind has been coming from the wrong direction for the later arrivals
Ratface
Well-Known Member
We've got swallows, but far fewer than usual.
Probably not helped by the persistent Wrong Direction Wind.
Probably not helped by the persistent Wrong Direction Wind.
cauda equina
Well-Known Member
Yes loads
Esmae
Well-Known Member
We had 2 pairs arrive in April. They both have built nests. 1 adult was found dead and the 3 caried on and were feeding a brood but I think the brood all died. Wondered if it was avian flu? 3 are still flying about and seem to be in and out of the stable again so hoping for a second successful brood.
PurBee
Well-Known Member
Yes, loads, theyre pooping on my tools and equipment in the barn as i type! 
They eat midges, they are very welcome..
They eat midges, they are very welcome..paddy555
Well-Known Member
yes we have all your swallows. Please have them back. We had at least 40 back, twice our usual number. Then another lot arrived. So they have spent the last 6 weeks fighting over nests as there aren't enough and "compromise" is out of the question. Never known them to be so argumentative. Ousted our poor resident sparrows.
That stopped last night when one youngster fell out of a nest. We did try to help it but it was too weak and we gave up on the 3rd time putting it back . Then they turned their anger on me. Not sure if it was in grief or fury. So many in the small space of the stables swooping down on me. All of them but at least it stopped them arguing amongst themselves for a while. Very surprised to see them all come together like that over a death. Usually it is only the parents.
We seem to have a very odd bunch this year and far too many for them to be comfortable with themselves and also far too tame because they live in such a small area and so close to us. There were well over 100 on the wire last Sept. before they left and most seemed to think they were ours.
Very strange and different from usual.
We had at least 40 back, twice our usual number. Then another lot arrived. So they have spent the last 6 weeks fighting over nests as there aren't enough and "compromise" is out of the question. Never known them to be so argumentative. Ousted our poor resident sparrows.That stopped last night when one youngster fell out of a nest. We did try to help it but it was too weak and we gave up on the 3rd time putting it back . Then they turned their anger on me. Not sure if it was in grief or fury. So many in the small space of the stables swooping down on me. All of them but at least it stopped them arguing amongst themselves for a while. Very surprised to see them all come together like that over a death. Usually it is only the parents.
We seem to have a very odd bunch this year and far too many for them to be comfortable with themselves and also far too tame because they live in such a small area and so close to us. There were well over 100 on the wire last Sept. before they left and most seemed to think they were ours.
Very strange and different from usual.
NinjaPony
Well-Known Member
My resident swallows returned to their nest in my storage stable as usual and I’ve got several baby birds watching me now! It’s lovely to have them here, even if they do make a mess.
rextherobber
Well-Known Member
I've only got half as many, and have seen far fewer housewarming and Swifts around too
Nicnac
Well-Known Member
My housemartins came back a few weeks ago and took up residence in my horse's stable. They then opened an Air BNB and seem to be doing a good business with 3 nests in his stable.
Mr NicNac is on a Greek Island and has 3 swallow nests outside his room so maybe they've given up on the UK and taken up residence abroad - always knew they were clever things swallows!
Mr NicNac is on a Greek Island and has 3 swallow nests outside his room so maybe they've given up on the UK and taken up residence abroad - always knew they were clever things swallows!
First Frost
Well-Known Member
Mine returned in April. they have repaired their nest from last year and are currently rearing 5 babies who should fledge in the next 10 days. They usually have a second brood, but i always worry that they will be a bit young to fly south, having only had a couple of weeks practice.
Cowpony
Well-Known Member
Ours arrived at the end of April and I was putting all the hair my mare was shedding on the floor outside her stable so they could come and get it for their nests. They all squabble over it!
scats
Well-Known Member
Yes, we’ve got a nest of babies at the moment.
MagicMelon
Well-Known Member
Yes, loads of them. Watching them swooping about in my garden as we speak. Issue is they always nest in our sheds and my tackroom - they chucked one of their babies out of the nest again this year onto my tackroom floor, we put gloves on and put it back into its nest hoping itd be ok but I found it a couple of days ago back on the floor dead, poor thing. Same thing happened last year. They poop on all my stuff though so wish they wouldnt nest there!
Ive got a blackbird causing an issue in my horse trailer at the moment. I took the horse out last week and on arriving found smashed eggs all over my tack locker, I hadnt seen theyd made a nest right above my light! Felt really bad, but all eggs gone so I dismantled the nest as soon as I got home. 2 days later they'd rebuilt it again! So I took it down yet again yesterday and they've started rebuilding for a 3rd time! Just have to keep going out daily and removing any signs of the new nest. I cant have them in there, Im using the trailer again tomorrow and cant have eggs getting smashed everywhere in transit (and presumably being away all day away from their mum!). Not sure how to block up their access in... (bateson so open bottom of window and all along the top of ramp theres a gap). They're also pooping all over my tack locker shelf and all over the floor, its horrible.
Ive got a blackbird causing an issue in my horse trailer at the moment. I took the horse out last week and on arriving found smashed eggs all over my tack locker, I hadnt seen theyd made a nest right above my light! Felt really bad, but all eggs gone so I dismantled the nest as soon as I got home. 2 days later they'd rebuilt it again! So I took it down yet again yesterday and they've started rebuilding for a 3rd time! Just have to keep going out daily and removing any signs of the new nest. I cant have them in there, Im using the trailer again tomorrow and cant have eggs getting smashed everywhere in transit (and presumably being away all day away from their mum!). Not sure how to block up their access in... (bateson so open bottom of window and all along the top of ramp theres a gap). They're also pooping all over my tack locker shelf and all over the floor, its horrible.
onemoretime
Well-Known Member
Yes we have them in the yard, mum is sitting on the nest.
m.l.c coloured
Active Member
Ours are back and currently have four babies
meleeka
Well-Known Member
Mine hatched yesterday. After hoping they’d nest in my stable again, I’m now stressing that they’ll get too hot and jump out like they did last year. I do love their chatter.
Backtoblack
Well-Known Member
We used to have them but the sparrow hawk ate them.
honetpot
Well-Known Member
We have a new pair, they spent over a week looking for somewhere, including trying a dislodged roof tile, and flying into the house through the Velux window. I caught the one in the house before the dogs got it, it was so small and light.
They are now in the feed room, the first attempt at a nest it fell off, so they have started again.
They are now in the feed room, the first attempt at a nest it fell off, so they have started again.
cindars
Well-Known Member
Aren't you all lucky,every year they have nested in our stables hope they haven't been put off by the buzzards and occasional kite
sassandbells
Well-Known Member
Not entirely sure when ours hatched but noticed them for the first time about a week ago!
Slightly concerned about them sitting right at the edge of the nest though…
Slightly concerned about them sitting right at the edge of the nest though…
BBP
Well-Known Member
They look pretty well grown so if they do plop off the edge they might be developed enough to try a bit of flapping.
BBP
Well-Known Member
After my successful efforts last year at keeping 5 babies alive in the 40 degree weather, we now have 2 families, all hatched and growing well. I’m hoping they can get through the warm weather this week without all the rigmarole of last year!
(For all those with hot swallows, last year I rigged mini fans up in the rafters, powered by car batteries, then hung bottles of frozen water in between the fan and the nest so the cool air would blow over them. Plus I misted them with cool water and placed the silver car windscreen protectors on the roof above the nests to reflect some of the heat from the sun)
(For all those with hot swallows, last year I rigged mini fans up in the rafters, powered by car batteries, then hung bottles of frozen water in between the fan and the nest so the cool air would blow over them. Plus I misted them with cool water and placed the silver car windscreen protectors on the roof above the nests to reflect some of the heat from the sun)
Thundering
Well-Known Member
They have built a nest in my mobile shelter. Dont think they have eggs yet but I was hoping to move the shelter soon. Not far but just down the field a bit. will probably have to wait now.