The Swallows and House Martins (I think the latter are still here) are forming disorderly lines on the power cables between our house and the farm. My heart sank when I saw them as I don't want them to leave yet. They have been flying around, getting higher and higher until they were out of sight. Then some came down and sat at the top of the twiggy-topped Ash trees at the side of the yard. They were chattering away whilst I picked Damsons and then some blackberries (both in the yard so I didn't need to go far).
Before migration was known about, country folk used to think they spent the winter in the bottom of ponds. Hmmm - logic a little dim on that one I think . . .
Their chatter and swooping about brings me such pleasure and it's so quiet after they have left. I can't wait for them to arrive in April - we had a pair on 7th April, then a singleton, but more must have arrived in early May as 3 birds didn't have THIS many youngsters!!! I think the Swifts have already left - I didn't see or hear any in Hay last time we were there - and soon these will be heading South. We still have warm weather heading up from that way, so I doubt they will want to fly into a headwind, so perhaps we have another week or so with them. Safe journey.
