Why are three swallows left behind?
hi could anyone tell me when these swallows migrate because i saw three sat sept 19 . All the others which we have been seeing about a mile away seem to have gone. Me and a pal of mine who owns the old farm building where we saw them are just curious as to why these three are still here - bob
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I received the above question yesterday
Can anyone give a definite answer? I’ve put my thoughts below
Bob please let us know the date the 3 swallows do migrate.
My reply -
Hi Bob, There is no one date when swallows migrate. It can depend on the weather here – if the weather is wet and the food is short swallows migrate earlier.
Swallows often have more than one brood. These 3 swallows could be from a second brood and they are not fully fledged yet.
Saying that, it is strange why these three have not migrated with the others in the area. I don’t have one correct answer to that. Even if they were young swallows they should still make the journey – just maybe later than others
Keep an eye on them – they should migrate very soon.
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on September 28th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Have just found your site through a Google search on swallows not migrating. Our pair of swallows nesting in our stable this year hatched and reared three broods, the last with five chicks. We noticed yesterday(27th Sept 09) that they have all flown south leaving one little sibling behind. He has been out flying with them every day and only seemed to be a day behind is brothers. Why has he been left behind ? There don’t seem to be any swallows left in the village. Surely he won’t attempt the journey alone ? I am worried for his survival.