Barn Swallows - Last family of Barn Swallows in Wales

Last Barn Swallow Family in Wales

By Peter John

Three new Barn Swallow babies return early today from very bad weather, making their way to rear of the little barn and new perch area put up last year 2010 after the Barn Swallows left. They seem to like it there!

The remaining two swallow babies from a second brood tonight have left and are on their way to you. Only two adults left now plus their three babies. Barn Swallow Parents took them out flying from early morning to late evening. This is a bit unusual for birds so young, must be giving them advanced training to get them fit and strong with this crash course to make it down under. Swallows do seem to understand variable tactics to suit the situation and know time is against them.

26 September 2011

Message to let you know all my swallows in the little barn have finally departed tonight. Some were in last night 25th September, and must have thought that they had been here long enough with the overcast weather for months. Someone must tell them to turn around as we have a heat wave with warm air from the Mediterranean. At last some sunshine!

Well, hope they all make it safely on that long haul to S/A. Naturally shall really miss them, but at last can enter the barn and start the clean up after around 39 little ones born in side this year.

Now it's your turn to worry about them and keep them safe in their new home. Probably will see some swallows still here well into October from other areas and flight path from Ireland. They do rest for the night at various farms etc. Even had one come into the kitchen last year late at night. Spent the night in the barn in safety. Found his group a few days later. Must have felt safe in the barn as he or she returned for two nights.

28 September 2011

There are plentiful of swallows still around enjoying maybe the sudden heat wave we are having. First good weather since last April. Most swallows left last year on the 2nd of October. This year with good weather could be a week or so later. Mine have gone as mentioned, giving me the chance today to wash all the walls of swallows mess. Bad this year, but never had thirty nine babies before in small area. May have more in next year as Barn Swallow nesting sites are closing down rapidly with present times and people selling outbuildings to have a few pounds extra.

To be realistic not many people care about wildlife only the minority it seems the way things are these days. Sales of peanuts are borderline the price of them now, and we supposed to be the best in the world for protecting our precious birds. They say the British are soft, be like Spain and France who consider dogs and birds of little importance. I wonder if our bird protection society are on the look out in France this season to monitor the killing fields of resting swallows on wires with camouflage sick humans hiding in the bushes ready to kill them with air guns in the name of, IT'S OUR SPORT. At least Spain is starting to grow up with banning bullfighting, like we had to, with cruel fox hunting with packs of dogs.