Hello, hello!! Ferreting Fynn here. Today, I'd like to start off talking about migrants. Britain has many migrant birds, some are passage migrants others winter migrants and especially summer migrants. My first summer migrant I saw this year was a chiffchaff, a small dull yet noticeable green and pale bird, but the one I wait for each year is the Swallow also my favourite bird. The first place I saw these magnificent birds was somewhere close to home, which is what I what to talk about today.
A few days ago, we visited Fairlands valley park as earlier 10 swallows had been spotted and as we are doing my 200 bird year, we could add it to the list. We decided to park up by the main lake and instantly, 2 silhouettes flew across the lake. I could make out- very faintly- 2 tail streamers and one thought suddenly rushed through my brain... Swallow. I think I may of gotten a "bit" too exited and screamed SWALLOW!!!!!!! I jumped out the car and ran down to the neighbouring lake as that was the direction the swallows were going. When I arrived, I had a bit of a shock. Fairlands doesn't have all the fancy ducks like teal, gadwall, wigeon and shoveler. It only has Canada geese and mallards. Strangely, on the lake I ran to, were a pair of greylag geese and and shoveler!? I didn't care about that at the moment as I was mesmerised by the 11 swallows.
Swallows are my favourite bird for many reasons, one of them is the nest that they build. Made out of mud!! How many birds can do that after a 5,908 miles? Not many. I really enjoyed this moment and I always remember the day I saw my first swallow each year.
Have a good day!! Stay safe!!
Ferreting Fynn.
What an exciting day for you Ferreting Fynn!! Seeing not one but 11 of your favourite birds. So happy for you as I know you have been looking forward to their arrival.
ReplyDeleteIt also means Summer is on it”s way. Hooray!
Great to hear you saw a shoveler at Fairlands too. I like their green heads and the lovely chestnut brown patches on their sides.
I really enjoyed your last blog on swallows. I can understand why you like them so much. These little critters fly all that way from The south of Africa, in between their winter homes they have to cross the Sahara dessert to get to the U.K for the summer They truly are remarkable.
ReplyDeleteI have yet to see one this year. Can’t wait for your next blog. I’ll be trying to guess what it could be about.
Hi Pat here, I really enjoyed this blog on swallows, I love the way they glide through the air so fast! It took us 8 hours and then one hour to fly back from the middle of Africa last year and that was in two planes - can you imagine how long it must take the swallows? Has anyone ever worked out how long it takes for swallows to do the trip?
ReplyDeleteHello Pat!! Thanks for the question, at first I thought when I read it it would be impossible to track a swallow on migration, but scientist say it takes 6 WEEKS!! Now can you see why they are my favourite birds?
DeleteFerreting Fynn.
Hello ferreting Fynn. Wow, 6 weeks, that's an incredible journey. No wonder they're a favourite. Ì miss getting out to places like the lakes, but was excited to see a frog in our pond this week.
ReplyDeleteI like them too. They remind me of spitfires swooping around.
ReplyDelete