SWIFTS, SWALLOWS AND HOUSE MARTINS

[Willpar]

Just where the heck are these birds coming from. Was crossing field this morning to get into a lane, and no less than 6 swallows were doing ariel acrobats and skimming the grass.
Did not look to be in any hurry for their winters hols.

[Placido]

Heard toady that all the tagged cuckoos are now back in central Africa for their winter hols.
Maybe they have texted the Devonian swallows to say, "Stay there, the weather's better !!".

[Jacksparrow]

First sighting of my Swifts toady. Absolutely astonishing timing. They arrived on the 6th May last year and the 5th in 2015 They fly thousands of miles between here and Africa and still manage to complete the journey almost spot on schedule. The railways have a lot to learn from Swifts.

[Placido]

Amazing !!
(Aren't Rolex watches wonderful )

[peregrine]

None here in Dumfries yet, but it shouldn't be long now.

[Willpar]

Not noticed any here yet. Bags of swallows though.

[peregrine]

Local resident says he saw one last Friday so it looks like they are back in Dumfries. Still haven't seen them myself but will keep my eye peeled today.

[peregrine]

Yip, can confirm. Saw first Swift on Monday. Won't be long before the screeching starts!!!

[peregrine]

First there were one or two, now the sky is full of them. Wonderful sight.

[Placido]

The first HMs I've seen this year but there were shedloads !!
Flying around a seventh century coaching inn, or possibly fifth , the sky was full of HMs.
Having a wonderful time in the sunshine. I imagine they have been nesting there for a thousand years. I occasionally caught snatches of the Latin vulgate.