Swallows still about?

Judgement Day

Given the suggestion that Swalllows may be over wintering in SW Cork/Kerry I wonder if anybody has noticed them in their areas recently. Today quite a number still about Enniscorthy, Co.Wexford.:)

sorella

They were still in Donegal a few days ago

cotton

We still have dozens here. They all nested in our 40ft earlier on in the year & don't seem to be going anywhere.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

They're gone from the North East.

stevensi

Saw a couple on Saturday. I believe they have even been spotted in early November in the recent past.

bogtreader

Seen some swallows flying around today at newtown in wicklow thought it strange maybe just young that were born to late and not enough strength yet for the journey to africa

jmkennedyie

Spotted a few today: both North Kildare & Newtown Mt Kennedy (North Wicklow).

stevensi

Saw four on Saturday around Kilmainham/Inchciore. I really don't remember seeing them so late or maybe i just hadn't noticed before..

cotton

Our swallows all seem to have gone over the weekend.
Silly I know, but I miss them.

topper75

Surprised at these reports. No sign here in Connacht. I dunno how they could successfully overwinter with such little daylight and a dearth of insects. Does this happen? If so, how?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

topper75 wrote: »

Surprised at these reports. No sign here in Connacht. I dunno how they could successfully overwinter with such little daylight and a dearth of insects. Does this happen? If so, how?

I don't think anybody has claimed they are overwintering. They often remain into October in some parts of the country.

topper75

Judgement Day wrote: »

Given the suggestion that Swalllows may be over wintering in SW Cork/Kerry

Aylin Faint Hairbrush wrote: »

I don't think anybody has claimed they are overwintering.

OP referred to 'suggestion' - that is what I was doubting.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

My apologies.

An occassional Swallow has been known, in the past, to overwinter but it's far from the norm.
Odd birds of various species have overwintered here from time to time but I think we're a long way from Swallows overwintering as a matter of course.
It is surprising that any insect eaters overwinter here at all and I always have great admiration for the Pied Wagtail, as everything about it's lifestyle suggests it should be a Summer visitor only.

stevensi

I think as our winters are getting milder we might see more and more birds overwinter here. I know that Chiffchaff and Blackcaps are seen a lot more overwinter in Ireland. Although i doubt this will happen for swallows!

RuthyB

There's still a few down in the lower harbour in Cork. Saw a pair this morning.
and there's still a load of swifts in the city . They are always swooping past the windows in work

Judgement Day

Thanks all who replied to my original post. Keep those reports coming. If Swallows are really overwintering in the South West it could be time to start building an Ark. :)

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

RuthyB wrote: »

There's still a few down in the lower harbour in Cork. Saw a pair this morning.
and there's still a load of swifts in the city . They are always swooping past the windows in work

I'm amazed that there are still Swifts there! They are one of the earliest to migrate south usually leaving in August.

RuthyB

Aylin Faint Hairbrush wrote: »

I'm amazed that there are still Swifts there! They are one of the earliest to migrate south usually leaving in August.

Really? I didn't know that. I was only watching one of them yesterday while I was out for my smoke. The office is right on the south channel of the lee and I often see them swooping over the river.:)

stevensi

I'd be surprised to see swifts at this time myself. The last one i recorded was the 29th of August. I wonder if they are martins? Also swifts generally don't fly low along water as far as i know they are usually up higher in the skies.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

No offence but I'm starting to doubt they are Swifts.

keithhammond

Haven't seen any swallows in the Galway area for about 2 weeks or so. I'm always glad to see them go before the really bad weather sets in, at least they have a better chance of making the long journey.

Dummy

I'm sorry but I had created a new thread on this very topic well before I had seen this one. Here is the jist of what I said:

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Hi there,

My family & I were just coming in across the fields from a walk on the beach when I saw swallows flying about. They were doing their arial acrobatics and then landing on fencing.

Today is a beautiful blue sky day here on the coast in West Waterford. Current outdoor temp is 11.1 celcius with a north easterly wind of 14.5 mph and 1004.6 hPA pressure. So it is similar to an average Irish Summers day here.

I have never seen swallows at this time of year before. Am I wrong or should these guys not be on vacation in Northern Africa at this point?

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D