Swallows – Signs of Summer
Swallows are welcome visitors to Ireland. People say it’s the first sign of summer. They come in early spring after spending the winter in Africa. Upon returning to Ireland they usually return to the previous years nesting sites. In 2009 I decided to capture this event;
All Swallow chicks left the nest 7th August 2009
Press the Play button to view a short video of feeding the chicks on the nest. I will be adding a longer video shortly to show the life cycle from eggs to leaving the nest.
We have an old garden shed that was due to be knocked down and replaced but every year swallows would nest in it.
This year I placed a webcam facing the nest and hoped that I could watch proceedings
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This photo shows the nest built ontop of a cup and the camera (top left) looking at the nest activities.
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Hi There, like your story we have swallows in an old shed outside too. There was a late brood in the nest in mid to late august and are still around, they are flying superbly around but I am worried there are very few around these days 19/9/2011 and think they will not be able for the flight back to africa if there are not alot to weather the storms they may encounter on their flight home. Do you know anything about this. I really enjoyed watching the 2 minute film i love to have the swallows around, even though I get warned off manys a time when I hang out my clothes like a low flying jet plane coming towards me, it makes me laugh to think of their courage in protecting their young, thank god they are not too much bigger or I’d be done for !!!