First swallow of summer

[Nonayforever]

I'm quite a keen bird watcher and have only just spotted my first swallow.
For me that is late, I normally see them mid / late April.

[Joe14]

Summer!! Spring (although it feels like autumn)

I saw a couple pottering up the coast in Morecambe the week before last. Definitely not as many as there used to be.

[Bosscat]

Ours starred arriving just over a week ago

1 May 2023.jpg (333.22 KiB) Viewed 1689 times

[Here's-Johnny]

Yes...me to on Thursday. In the fylde area.usually see them in April around parts of pendle ....location location may be.but may is late.

[Joe Buck]

I keep a note of my first sightings and it's usually around 11 April. That's Accy. They seem to arrive in the Ribble Valley earlier but there does seem to be fewer of them

[dougcollins]

Yes, they were late, but also in the same week I saw Swifts, which are about two weeks early here.

I reckon the birds are as confused as the rest of us by the weather.

[Billy Balfour]

Sometime around Mid-April, while walking around Foulridge.

[Carnsmerry12]

Have seen them early April in Cornwall but much later this year. Yet to see/ hear any swifts!

[Andreshotboots]

Surprised this thread hasn't deteriorated by now

[Joe14]

Train strikes might have delayed them.

[LeadBelly]

I don't see swallows around where I live but get plenty of swifts, they haven't arrived yet but its usual for them to be later than swallows I think.

In general, re phases reached by flora/fauna, I think things are 7-10 days later here this year than last year.

[Here's-Johnny]

Surprised this thread hasn't deteriorated by now

Not for a while tbh....but I'm Hopeful 2023s gonna be the year!

[Colburn_Claret]

I saw my first 2 weeks ago, still not many.
There were loads of Sand Martins up Teesdale about 5 weeks ago.

[Rowls]

I've still yet to see my first although have seen a cuckoo.

[Chobulous]

Yes, they were late, but also in the same week I saw Swifts, which are about two weeks early here.

I reckon the birds are as confused as the rest of us by the weather.

We’ve had a lot of unseasonable northerly and easterly winds recently so it’s no surprise that sightings are later than normal.

[Volvoclaret]

Surprised this thread hasn't deteriorated by now

Bloody Swallows, flying in and taking insects from the mouths of our Robins and sparrows.

[chadders]

Seems quieter here in Devon. Last couple of years had a big influx of Sand Martins and swallows as they passed through 6th April. Later this year and so far not as many. Haven't seen any swifts yet.

[Carwin261]

I'm quite a keen bird watcher and have only just spotted my first swallow.
For me that is late, I normally see them mid / late April.

We have Housemartins,and are normally here by the middle of April,a couple arrived a few days ago,latest they’ve arrived in the last 25 yrs.

[Bfc]

I saw my first Swallows when I went up the North East to see the Grey Headed Lapwing and was fortunate to be there when that bird flew to another area nearby, but not as close to view it.

[Bosscat]

We have Housemartins,and are normally here by the middle of April,a couple arrived a few days ago,latest they’ve arrived in the last 25 yrs.

Did they arrive in a "Caravan of Love"

[Cooclaret]

I'm quite a keen bird watcher and have only just spotted my first swallow.
For me that is late, I normally see them mid / late April.

Have you ever used the Merlin bird ID app? It’s fantastic. Don’t download the packs just let it listen for song and it’ll tell you all it can recognise.

We live in the middle of nowhere and use it morning, and evening to see what’s going on.

[Guller Bull]

Brexit has stopped many as many swallows/swifts/ martins getting through.

Saw our first one in SW Scotland right at the very end of March but the vast majority only arrived in the last week.

[CHEWBACCA]

We get Housemartins here,no Swallows but they only landed last week.....

[Nonayforever]

Obviously late this year and still lacking in numbers by going off most posts.
Must be the weather
It has certainly been wet and cold, but must be a European thing rather than a Lancashire anomaly.

[firstclaret]

I saw my first 2 weeks ago, still not many.
There were loads of Sand Martins up Teesdale about 5 weeks ago.

Think it was renamed Teesdale Out!