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Di Ellis
Silver Member
 United Kingdom
415 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Apr 2009 : 10:29:57 AM
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I read on a thread recently that somone's swallows had returned. I have been patiently waiting for mine to come home and last week only 1 out of 10 that left came home. He or she has been twittering away quite happily and sleeping in the barn where it was born - then this week it has found a mate - and now I have 2.
I was concerned that this was going to bring me more bad luck this year; as I guess it means that all my little swallows had died on the journeys both ways.
But nature has its way of turning things around - and I guess these two will mate and have their own new family and hopefully they will all return again next year safely.
The yard seemed so empty last autumn when they all flew away and it is lovely having the pair of them swooping in and out of the barn and twittering around my head whilst I am doing the mucking out.
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D.S. Ellis
Somerset
marbonarabians@yahoo.co.uk |
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Montikka
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2653 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2009 : 11:11:20 AM
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I know just how you feel Di, three of my Swallows are swooping around; it's always so heartwarming to see them back. Mine managed to fledge three families last year and I wonder too what has happened to all those babies.
You mention more bad luck this year, I very much hope that your luck has changed, as I have been having an horrendous two months and desperately need to see some 'light at the end of the tunnel'.
Louise x |
   
Louise, Warwickshire |
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angelarab
Platinum Member
Wales
2876 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2009 : 11:36:21 AM
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| we have swallows in the barn busy flying about so fast and singing it amazes me how the don't hit the wall the fly so fast. Hope they have some lovely babies soon, and try stop the farm cat eating them again this year :-( |
 "Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened."
www.northwalesarab.co.uk |
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Minty Arab
Silver Member
England
482 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2009 : 7:16:24 PM
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yep our swallows are back they arrived a couple of days ago and are happily swooping in and out of mintys stable,i dont know if sunne has ever had swallow in her stable before though....they didnt half make her jump!
Emma x |
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pintoarabian
Gold Member
Scotland
1242 Posts |
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Di Ellis
Silver Member
United Kingdom
415 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2009 : 12:35:21 PM
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My farmer friend tells me that apparently we loose 80% between when they leave us and fly back. It really is a long way that they go.
They do seem to bring the good weather with them when they do return.
I am pleased that others have arrived back safely and lets hope they have a successful breeding season again.
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D.S. Ellis
Somerset
marbonarabians@yahoo.co.uk |
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lulu
Gold Member
763 Posts |
Posted - 25 Apr 2009 : 2:35:33 PM
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| We have had one only for ages singing away on the line really felt sorry for him and then Friday another turned up, so now they are both swooping around, last year we had about 3 broods. |
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Di Ellis
Silver Member
United Kingdom
415 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2009 : 1:31:05 PM
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Oh Lulu,
I am glad I was not the only one.
Fingers crossed for our two lonely swallows future with their new mates.
Keep me informed if you get babies later.
Di |
D.S. Ellis
Somerset
marbonarabians@yahoo.co.uk |
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weirton
Gold Member
873 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2009 : 2:49:20 PM
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We have one solitary swallow this year too. I hope he is just the forerunner for all the others we usually see.
I remember in Malta, when seeing lots of men with guns on the cliffs, that they were there to shoot the small birds as they flew back north. Very sad.
Jean
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pintoarabian
Gold Member
Scotland
1242 Posts |
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mittens
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2109 Posts |
Posted - 26 Apr 2009 : 5:16:29 PM
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I looked after my friends horses the oher day and the swallows are definately back!! Look at these lovelies!  |
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Pashon2001
Platinum Member
3575 Posts |
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pintoarabian
Gold Member
Scotland
1242 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2009 : 7:01:40 PM
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| Just a little update on the swallow position up here at my place in Scotland....there was much twittering of recognition going on yesterday and I realised that there were more flying around than there had been previously. It's not the young that have flown the nest, these were all adults. I reckon that we are up to five, or even six, pairs now but it's difficult to get a count with them all swooping around and some sitting on eggs. That will be the most that we've ever had here which is interesting because some of you felt your numbers were down. Perhaps the latest arrivals sensed we'd be having cold and very wet weather so stayed further south. Have more turned up with you too? |
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Karon
Gold Member
England
1411 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2009 : 8:21:59 PM
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No swallows here at all  I really miss them, by now I've usually watched one brood fledge and am waiting for more eggs to hatch. I've seen 2 swallows flying around but none at the yard. Hope there will be some back next year. |
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Tomos
Gold Member
Wales
940 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2009 : 8:52:53 PM
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Hi Karon, wherabouts are you ?
Our swallow population has built up over the 14 years we've had our yard to a peak 2 years ago of 15 pairs and many broods. Last year we only got 3 pairs back, and this year to my horror none at all, the yard seems very empty at this time of year withour swallow chatter.
In the village the house martins have returned, but not the swifts.
I hope its not further signs of climate change
Mandy |
"An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind" Gandhi
www.hispanoarabeswales.co.uk
www.thewelshcrabbetshow.org.uk |
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