first swallow of summer!

[Butchers Hook]

First swallow back today. Exactly the same date as last year! Clever little bleeders aren't they.
My robins dissapeared last w/e as well.

[Kinoulton]

First ones here today too.

There's so much hay, haylage and feedstuff round here that I think they must print a newsletter inviting al the other swallows to come.

We get more every year.

[Bill W (2)]

I am besieged by chaffinches!! Not just the cheeky begger that taps on my bedroom window every morning but lots of them!!

Have always had 3 or 4 in the garden but this year there must be well in excess of 10.

[Rizzo]

I've been away this weekend to the Welsh borders (Presteigne) and saw swallows and house martins there, also saw swallows at Aberdovey on Saturday.

[tigerburnie]

Was snowing here yesterday,so I would think there's not too many in Eastern Scotland just now.

[Kinoulton]

Mad weather here. So much rain I've had to pump it away continually, hail stones like golf balls, and even when it calms down there are clouds over the North Sea that look like 1,000 feet anvils.

The girls have been looking up at the swallows and saying "Why didn't you stay in South Africa instead of flying all the way for this?"

[CJ]

saw more swallows today and said the same as Kinny's girls.

but also saw one of the little egrets again. Perhaps they know or knew that the weather was going to turn dreadful so there was no need to fly away.

[Kinoulton]

So wet and windy here that we're not even turning the horses out as they stand at their gates with thought balloons over their heads "Please bring me in."

But the swallows are getting on with it and dashing around in a very busy mood despite all the wet and gusts.

[CJ]

two of the cuckoos being tracked by the BTO have arrived back in Southern England.
http://www.bto.org/science/migration/tr ... o-tracking

[fleabane]

Swallows over WR during the Bath match!

[Rizzo]

Saw the first swifts of this summer (for me) today, despite the rain and cloud it's a summery sign to see them back.

[Kinoulton]

We've got a mass of swallows, plus a barn owl which is chasing away the pigeons.

Also the "Beast of Baswick" an extremely large black cat (Panther/Puma?) has been seen stealthily stalking its prey by a number of people.

[Bill W (2)]

The Jays have arrived! Terrorising everything in sight - except the magpies who are totally disdainful!