Anybody spotted any Swallows yet. I was told years ago that you wouldn’t see any in the Burnley area before the 11 April. Never have done yet

Not any on my side of the Irish sea as yet .
I go to war every year with the feckers

Are they edible?

Don't they arrive after the sore throat disappears?

Not seen any yet in Cornwall.

None seen in Brittany just yet.

Usually get to us here in Lockerbie between 24th April - 1 st May although we see them across South West Scotland from 1st April onwards.

Love their arrival and hate then going.

Not in my bed.

Their journey starts in china.......

Guller Bull wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:20 pm

Usually get to us here in Lockerbie between 24th April - 1 st May although we see them across South West Scotland from 1st April onwards.

Love their arrival and hate then going.

Always made up seeing them arrive....they always departed up to the very last day of september... not beyond always sad to see em go.

Been following a group on Book of Faces which is basically a swallow watch group. Lot of the members are in South Africa where our swallows to/from. Nice watching the comments of them departing there knowing that they will be here soon.

Don't see Swallows up here above Burnley but do get housemartins which usually arrive end April, that's when I know Summers almost here.

When I was growing up, we had a barn attached to the house in which swallows nested every year....

My Dad cut a corner out of the Barn door to allow them access so we could lock the doors. It was amazing watching them fly in and out of a 6" square hole.....

I'm glad I'm retired, they come into the building I worked in and s** t over everyone and everything.

cbx750 wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:35 pm

I'm glad I'm retired, they come into the building I worked in and s** t over everyone and everything.

Rolls Royce?

Swallows with RR engines, awesome

tim_noone wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:39 pm

Rolls Royce?

That's the one.

Volvoclaret wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:44 pm

Swallows with RR engines, awesome

More likely Jaguar Engines

The Swallow Sidecar Company ceased trading in 1930 and became Jaguar....

The early "SS" Jaguar models were named so as to celebrate their roots

Yes, several seen already in Cliviger. Woodpecker, tits and chuffs also.

cbx750 wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 02, 2020 7:08 pm

That's the one.

I loved em...always watched that last day for the stragglers.

I've got a swallow on my neck.

basil6345789 wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 02, 2020 10:11 pm

Yes, several seen already in Cliviger. Woodpecker, tits and chuffs also.

Love tits and chuffs, not seen any decent ones for a while

I love watching swallows. Seeing them skimming crops says Summer and English countryside. Makes me think of the days of Spitfires flying over the white cliffs.

Aclaret wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 02, 2020 10:15 pm

Love tits and chuffs, not seen any decent ones for a while

Ditto.

LoveCurryPies wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 02, 2020 10:15 pm

I love watching swallows. Seeing them skimming crops says Summer and English countryside. Makes me think of the days of Spitfires flying over the white cliffs.

Aye reminds me of the Norman invasion on the day before battle.

basil6345789 wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 02, 2020 10:11 pm

Yes, several seen already in Cliviger. Woodpecker, tits and chuffs also.

With it being so cool today , were they Blue tits? Anyway hope the Swallows are a sign of better times

I saw 5 on Sunday 20th , and more today.
I haven't had the time to do any proper birding for years, just too damn busy. I got thinking I hadn't seen a Nuthatch for ages. I'm glad to say they are still prolific around here, seen loads over the lsst 3 weeks. Significant numbers of Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Blackcap. The odd Willow Warbler and Skylark and a Willow Tit. Buzzards are 2 a penny around here now, as I'm sure they are most places.
If this weather keeps up it could be a great year for our feathered friends.

UTRSPB

Saw our first swallows of the year in Burnley (Reedley), when out for our exercise walk on Sunday; also saw our first Willow Warblers. We’re fortunate to have Nuthatch nearby, so we seem them daily in the garden. Our nesting Bullfinch are still with us.

Saw 2 in the village this morning when we set off to go shopping... plenty of food about as the midges are flying high...

They arrived today in my village in the North-West Lakes.

Loads of house martins and swallows skimming the local gravel pit lakes/nature reserves.

Not seen one yet but lot's of Sand Martin's at the bottom of Grove Lane

Volvoclaret wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:27 pm

Don't see Swallows up here above Burnley but do get housemartins which usually arrive end April, that's when I know Summers almost here.

Some up in Scotland

bfcjg wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 01, 2020 7:44 pm

Are they edible?

If you're French then yes.

None yet here on the West coast of Ireland but i expect them real soon as just about to finish off painting the outside of the house .

Never seen a Swift here in Yorks before 15 May.

Swallows are outside now.

Got mine on Amazons last week.

Either swallows or House martins returned to nest above my son's bedroom window, cue bird droppings on the bay window roof below !!!