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HELPING AND BEING CLOSE TO SWALLOWS

Posted on September 14th, 2011 in Watching Birds by Trish

This is from a very lucky person -

‘Our’ swallows nest is in the porch.   We watch the swallows through the glass window and we use the back door for 4-5 months

If I have to use their (the swallows’) door I whistle, and have been delighted to hear the nestlings singing back to me this year.  They  fly round me in the veg garden  unafraid.

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How wonderful to have a nest so close and how amazing you go to the trouble of using your back  door for nearly half of the year.  But I bet it’s worth it.

I have never been close to a swallow.  We see them high on the wires and zipping about high in the air, but never see any nests, so you are very lucky.  And to have young swallow nestlings singing back to you is something you should record.  I bet no one else has that happen to them

 

INTERESTING OBSERVATIONS OF SWALLOWS IN ENGLAND

Posted on September 14th, 2011 in Watching Birds by Trish

Interesting details of  one set of swallows in England this summer

Swallows arriving late this year Ist May,

Nest building began 9 May, first hatch 22 June, five young, first flight 9 July;

Second family of 3 hatched by 27th August, first flight 2 Sept.

Now the weather is wild, colder, and strong winds, the young sit on the beanpoles or in the porch;how late can they safely leave? 

Their many cousins at the barn down the lane and the 5 older siblings have gone, how does a second family fare migrating alone?

Last year the parents left the second family which had just hatched, to die.  They flew off; at least the parents survivied. I had to take the nest away,  too sad.

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Thanks for all the information about the dates.

Very sad about the young swallows that are left.  I suppose they have to face nature,  whereas we are shielded from nature  by Supermarkets and shelter + other things.  It’s still sad to think of a young swallows life coming to an end, when if circumstances had been different they had the inbuilt ability to fly  to a warm climate.

Robin, thank you for sending all this interestesting, moving and informative information

Trisha

SWALLOW FESTIVAL IN RHODES?

Posted on September 14th, 2011 in Watching Birds by Trish

Can you help Robin with this question

Does anyone know if the Swallow festival still happens in Rhodes, 

It is to celebrate the return of swallows.

Each year children dress up in cloaks, black back, white front and run through the streets carrying poles with carved swallows on the top.

There is still so much to learn about swallows, tho we have moved on from the idea that they hid in the mud over winter!

Thankyou so much for this website, fascinating

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If there is such a Festival I’d love to go.  Does anyone know?  Can anyone help?