Swallows in 2010 Arrivals, nesting and departures

greenpeter

Just looking out the window and noticed a heap of swallows floating around, sign of summer coming:D

Judgement Day

greenpeter wrote: »

Just looking out the window and noticed a heap of swallows floating around, sign of summer coming:D

They have been back since around St.Patrick's Day see here: http://www.irishbirding.com

SeaFields

Was just coming on here to post the same thing.

Saw my first swallow today. He was on his own tho.

Still a sign of summer

As for another summer visitor has anyone seen/heard any cuckoos yet ?

ciaran76

Weird I was in a meeting today and was facing the window and I see a load of swallows flying by and I was trying to remember were they earlier or just later then normal and totally zoned out of the meeting

Anyway its nice to see them back.

marlin vs

Same thing here I saw my first swallow a loner yesterday as well,I went to watch the geese gathering to head off and the little loner flew straight over me.

Judgement Day

I knew I started a thread on this earlier: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=65028770 - it was on the 22/3/10 but I only heard rather than saw one - does that count.

Half-cocked

Saw 2 swallows at Ballbriggan on Sunday and 1 loner feeding over the water in Baldoyle Bay yesterday evening.

Morganna

none here yet .They are awful early the ones that have been sighted .The ones that come here are usually 23rd april or there abouts

Kess73

Not only are they back, they are back in their role of harassers of the male sparrowhawk here in my garden.

Just yesterday I heard for the first time this year, and no doubt only the first of many times from here onwards, the sound of swallows trying to mob a sparrowhawk.

I looked out my back window and sure enough there were swallows all swooping back and forth over one of my little trees, and in the middle of the tree was the regular male sparrowhawk.

boneless

Saw a couple on the Royal Canal yesterday, zipping over the water.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

None here as yet, but they usually don't appear with us until around 15th April.

greenpeter

Have been watching now for a few weeks and was delighted to see them back, have to be my favorite Bird.
Must go take out my mother porch window:eek:

greenpeter

Judgement Day wrote: »

I knew I started a thread on this earlier: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=65028770 - it was on the 22/3/10 but I only heard rather than saw one - does that count.

NO:P

amerden

Just seen my first of the year in North Co. Cork.
Same time (within two days) as the last two years.

E39MSport

March 13 according to RTE. Saw one here in the UK yesterday. Lovely !!

Connacht

Lads,
With topics like this, it would be nice if you would indicate the county you are reporting from, if it isn't clear from your avatar.
That way we can all build up a picture of where a particular bird or animal is.
Of course, with senstive or endangered species, it's not always a agood idea to reveal location.
I saw my first swallows on Saturday, April 3, in Kildare.
None here in Mayo yet.

littlebug

I thought I saw that familiar swoop yesterday out of the side of my eye. Confirmed today with 2-3 swooshing around and hanging out on the wires. I think they're a bit earlier than last year.
South Mayo

pinc

Saw 2 today near Athenry.

SeaFields

Sorry, location is key alright.

The one i saw that i posted about earlier was in Kerry.

amerden

Just seen first in Cork City

greenpeter

Meath:o

RonMexico

You can tag your sightings over at http://www.biology.ie

Saw a swallow today Co. Clare

snaps

Saw 2 this afternoon in mayo!

homolumo

no sign here yet where I am in County Waterford. Twas April 17th last year. Had to make sure the shed where they nest was cat proof, our cat was just a kitten last year so I hope she doesn't put them off. She is more preoccupied with baby rabbits atm but fingers crossed.

Morganna

saw one today in east mayo they are early this year .

Mountainsandh

Saw one yesterday here in Co Waterford, checking out if the spot's still available I presume.
Poor cat will be in for another summer of hassling soon

homolumo

pair of swallows arrived today, were trying to get into their old nest spot in the shed but seemed put off by the mesh I have put up. Made the hole
slightly bigger for them so here's hoping!

Stephentlig

Swallows travel some distance, its amazing how the Lord formed his creation.

Is it true that they leave in august? they have their last feed and then head back to africa ( is africa even where they come from? )

Pax Christi
Stephen

secman

Definitely saw one swallow/house martin on Fri 9th April not too far from ballygarrett, Wexford. I believe the male bird gets home first.


Secman

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Stephentlig wrote: »

Is it true that they leave in august? they have their last feed and then head back to africa ( is africa even where they come from?

They leave here in September/October. They don't just take a last feed here and fly all the way to Southern Africa in one go. On both the Northerly and Southerly journeys they stop-off frequently to rest and feed. Crossing the desert is the toughest single phase. The ever-expanding Sahara is becoming an increasingly hazardous region for the birds to cross.
Some rest in Spain for example and remain there for the Summer, others get to Holland and stop there, others fly on again to Ireland and stay with us.

Valmont

I saw my first of the season last week.

edit: Comeragh mountains, Waterford.