| February 2012 |
See Barn Swallow Daily Log
2011-2012 season - Updated Daily |
| |
|
| 22-02-2012 |
A spectator arrived on site and quote the following verse; John Keats To Autumn:
'Where barre'd clouds bloom the soft-dying day
And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.'
|
| 18-02-2012 |
 
Sunmitted by by Hirondelles |
| 6-02-2012 |
Small groups of swallows observed at Gibraltar coming in to Europe on Feb 6th. I wonder if these
early birds have actually over wintered in S Africa. By John Wakefield |
| 4-02-2012 |
Photos from Italy
of recent weather - By Marco Lamberti
- Piumazzo - (Italy) |
| |
|
January 2012
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|
| 19-01-2012 |
Report just received about sighting of Barn Swallows roosting at Tongaat river mouth. |
| 18-01-2012 |
News of a new roosting site for the Barn Swallows, only the second season spotted there
± 20 000. The roost site is on private property at a place called Glengarry, about
40km from Nottingham Road on the way to Giants Castle in the Kamberg Valley. They roost there from
December to mid January.
More info www.nationalheritage.co.za |
| 4-01-2012 |
Photo by Ali Hirondelles |
| |
|
December 2011
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|
| 25 December |
Its taken 3 years to make it but finally our 6
part Earthflight series is finished and will be on BBC1 from Thursday 29th December
8pm.
For those of you in the USA or abroad then it should be on the BBC
Worldwide channel or Discovery Channel some time in the New Year. ( included in this series will be footage shot
at the Mount Moreland roost)
From Rob Pilley
|
| 25 December |
Happy Christmas many swallows in the tower - See photos - by Ali Hirondelles |
| 24 December |
Mykines, The Faeroes Island - See Photos - By
Kurt Servé |
| 23 December |
News of Barn Swallows at other locations - Read Story |
| 22 December |
Barn Swallows are still at Santo Tomas, Davao del norte, Philippines - Read Story - By
Ariel Estela |
| 4 December |
Visit to the Barn Swallow Site by COP17 Reporters - Read
Story |
| |
|
| November
2011 |
|
| 13
November |
'The Return of the
Swallows' event - Read
Story - By Angie Wilken |
| 8 November |
Photos of Lesser Striped Swallows drink on the wing - See Photos - BY Sharon Basel |
| 7 November |
Barn Swallows in Bulgaria - Read Story - By
Patrick Barclay |
| 3 November |
When Will they Come - Read Story - By Kurt Servé |
| |
|
October 2011
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|
| 22 October |
Began Barn Swallow duty at Lake Victoria, quite a number of spectators arrived as it was a
beautiful day. Swallow numbers about 1 million, excellent display. From now on every evening will
be good viewing, begining to peak 13
November
This seasons Barn Swallow daily log
2011-2012 is now live
|
| 18 October |
The Summer of the South Calls to the Barn Swallows - Read Story - By Kurt Servé |
| 10 October |
Went to Lake Victoria and yes, the Barn Swallows are there but only ± 1500, similar numbers at
Froggy Pond, nice show but no where near full mass display. It will take at least 2 weeks for Barn
Swallow numbers to increase - Angie Wilken |
| 9 October |
Barn Swallows have just arrived at Santo Tomas, Davao del norte, Philippines. This is the second
time that the swallows flooded in our town, the Barn Swallows first arrival was last year 2010, we dont
know where they came from! They stay there from October until March - See photos - By Ariel Estela |
| 8 October |
Tonight is the first time I saw the Barn Swallows, wow, my heart raced with excitment.
± 1500 Barn Swallows over my house and Froggy Pond, I must go and check out Lake Victoria. It looks as
if the Barn Swallows will be using both reedbeds this season - By Angie Wilken |
| 5 October |
Skies empty over Mount Moreland, I have yet to see a single Barn Swallow - Angie Wilken |
| 3 October |
First Barn Swallows arrive at Mount Moreland (5.45pm) reported by
Clive Hockly, Mount Moreland resident overlooking the Lake Victoria reedbed, ± flock of a few hundred
Barn Swallows spotted descending into Lake Victoria reedbed to roost.
After torrential rain for most of today the news of the first Barn Swallows arriving at Mount Moreland
is something to celebrate and is an extremely welcome respite. |
| 3 October |
Pouring rain for 3 days ( heavy rain and thunder storms) and first news just recieved (8am) of a
flock ± 100's of Barn Swallows flying around at Zinkwazi Beach and have been doing so for a couple of
hours. - By Margo Thiel
Zinkwazi Beach is ± 80 Km North of Mount Moreland, is today the day the Barn Swallows arrive at Mount
Moreland? I will keep you posted - Angie Wilken |
| |
|
| September 2011 |
Spring |
| 28 September |
Zandvlei Trust in the Muizenberg area of Cape Town.
We are just seeing the Barn Swallows arriving
here - By Peter Kruger
|
| 28 September |
In the last two weeks, the last of the Barn Swallows have left or are in the process of leaving
France - By Marc Piel |
| 23 September |
Birds killed in Cuprus see http://www.birdlifecyprus.org/ - By
Svend Jørgensen |
| 21 September |
Report back on Spring Alive launch - Read
Story - By Joe Peu, Birdlife South Africa |
| 20 September |
Barn Swallows have left Scotland - By Kate Foster |
| 17 September |
Last family of Barn Swallows in Wales - Read
Story - By Peter John |
| 15 September |
Barn Swallows live in style in new outbuilding
in Stareton, Warwickshire, England.
Read
Story - By Don McGillivray
|
| 14 Septmber |
We were awoken early this morning (3.30am) by an almighty thunder storm and the first rain fall of
spring which we welcome and so desperately need. - Angie Wilken |
| 13 September |
Barn Swallows the last ready to go - Read Story - By Peter John |
| 13 Septmber |
Barn Swallows publication from Japan - Read
Story - By Koyama Kazuo |
| 12 September |
Our Barn Swallows have left Finland - Read
Story - By Risto Jäntti |
| 9 September |
News from Italy about the
Barn Swallows - Read Story
- Lamberti Marco |
| 6 September |
Barn Swallows migration display, Finland - Read
Story - By Risto Jäntti |
| 1 September |
Barn Swallows depleted in numbers, Wales - Read
Story - By Peter John |
| |
|
August 2011
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|
| 29 August |
Last Barn Swallows about to fledge - Finland - Read Story - By Risto Jäntti |
| 28 August |
Barn Swallows leave Denmark - See
Story - By Svend Jørgensen |
| 25 August |
Beautiful Barn Swallows nest on a stone ledge- Read Story - By Peter John |
| 24 August |
Migration, moult and climate change in Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica in South Africa
See
Paper - By Anders Pape
Møller1,*, Rick
Nuttall2, Steven E.
Piper3,†, Tibor
Szép4,
Edward J. Vickers5 |
| 21 August |
Signs of Spring Evident at Mount Moreland - Read Story - By Angie Wilken |
| 18 August |
Birdlife to launch Barn Swallows Spring Alive Campaign -
See Invitation - By Joe Peu,
Birdlife |
| 17 August |
Life in a Barn Swallows Nest - See Video - By
Svend Jørgensen |
| 13 August |
Barn Swallows feed their chicks - See
Video - By Svend Jørgensen |
| 11 August |
Pre migration signs evident in Finland - Read
Story - By Risto Jäntti |
| 10 August |
Second brood of Barn Swallows now open their eyes - See Photo - By Svend Jørgensen |
| 9 August |
Deformed Barn Swallow - See Photos - By Peter
John |
| 7 August |
Barn Swallow fledglings out and about - See
photos - By Peter John |
| 6 August |
Barn Swallows second brood getting bigger - See photo - By Svend Jørgensen |
| 2 August |
Barn Swallows fly in old barn, Denmark - See Video - By Svend Jørgensen |
| 1 August |
Update on Barn Swallows in Wales - Read
story - By Peter John |
| |
|
July 2011
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|
| 25 July |
Second Brood of 5 Barn Swallows - Read
Story - By Peter John |
| 24 July |
Where the Barn Swallows cross the Ocean - Read Story - By Peter John |
| 23 July |
New Barn Swallow Chicks in Finland - Read
Story - By Risto Jäntti |
| 20 July |
Barn Swallow Parents take a break - Read
Story - By Peter John |
| 16 July |
About to fledge Barn Swallows - Read Story -
By Risto Jäntti |
| 15 July |
Blacksmith's Barn Swallows - Read Story - By
Peter John |
| 14 July |
Six Barn Swallow Chicks! - See Video - By Svend
Jørgensen |
| 13 July |
Barn Swallow dead but now alive - Read Story - By
Peter John |
| 11 July |
Barn Swallows at the builders yard at the railway - Read Story - By Peter John |
| 8 July |
Barn Swallow nest fails and falls, Finland - Read
story - By Risto Jäntti |
| 7 July |
Where do the Barn Swallows go after Fledging? Read Story - By Peter John |
| 5 July |
Barn Swallows in Lough Arrow in the Northwest of Ireland - photos and story - By Craig Robinson |
| 3 July |
Barn Swallows in Denmark fledged-S vend Jørgensen |
| 2 July |
Barn Swallows in tin shed - photos and
story - By Peter John |
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|
June 2011
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|
| 29 June |
Barn Swallow chicks in Denmark - See Photos -
By Svend Jørgensen |
| 27 June |
Ireland - Barn swallows fledging see live on web cam - By Ann Gunning
http://www.rte.ie/radio/mooneygoeswild/features/mooneycam/swallow_nest
cam_aras.html |
| 26 June |
Finland - there are signs of first swallow chicks having hatched: parents bend over their nest and
call extremely softly and tenderly. According to my observations they use that call only in that
situation. - By Risto Jäntti |
| 15 June |
Finland Barn Swallow Incubating -Read
Story - By Risto Jäntti |
| 14 June |
Barn Swallows want to build a nest on top of a shoe Box - see photos - By Peter John |
| 5 June |
White-tailed Barn Swallow - Read Story - By
Risto Jäntti |
| 3 June |
Baby Barn Swallows take their first flight and other stories - See movie - By Peter John |
| 2 June |
Barn Swallow nest witha helping hand - See
photos - By Svend Jørgensen |
| 2 June |
Macro Ecological Corridors of Conservancies AGM - see report - By Debbie Jewitt |
| 1 June |
Report on the Sasol Birding Fair - see story - By Angie Wilken |
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May
2011
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|
| 25 May |
Barn Swallow web cam 24/7 viewing of nesting swallow - see story - By Ann Gunning
Link :http://www.rte.ie/radio/mooneygoeswild/features/mooneycam/swallow_nest
cam_aras.html |
| 25 May |
Barn Swallows seek creature comforts - see
photo - By Peter John |
| 18 May |
Barn Swallows nesting indoors - See story and
photos by Paula Clements |
| 17 May |
Barn Swallows Mud Bath - See movie by Svend
Jørgensen |
| 16 May |
Story on a Visit to the Barn Swallow site from a Cape Town Visitor - read story by Margaret Mac Iver |
| 10 May |
Sasal Birding Fair to be held at the Johannesburg Zoo 28 & 29 May. This is the first time
Mount Moreland will be showcasing the Barn Swallows away from the viewing site.
Our visit is sponsored by Birdlife and ACSA
|
| 8 May |
Risto and the first Barn Swallow in Finland - By Risto Jäntti........read story |
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April 2011
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|
| 23 April |
Barn Swallows Arrive in Wales - Read Story
by Peter John |
| 22 April |
All Swallows now migrated |
| 5 April |
Barn Swallows nesting in unusual places - See photos by Paula Clements |
| 5 April |
Barn Swallows move into new home in workshop - See photos by Peter John |
| 4 April |
Unusual Barn Swallow crafts and novel ideas - See
photos by Ali Hirondelles |
| 1 April |
Local newspaper plays April fool on the Barn Swallows - See
article.. |
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March 2011
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|
| 30 March |
First plane diverted due to dense swallow numbers - Read Story... |
| 12 March |
Barn swallow trials and tribulation, UK, last season - Read Stories.... |
| 9 March |
Barn Swallows begin to chirp, sign that the migration has begun. |
| 8 March |
Barn Swallow website now one Year old. |
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February 2011
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|
| 17 February |
The regeneration of the reedbed at Lake Victoria - read story.... |
| 12 February |
I know that you don´t understand Danish :-) but I found this TV program on the net. Around 5 min.
from the start of the program it shows recordings from an very old, very dirty and very little farm
here in Denmark. The farmer had made more than 6.000 ringing of Barn Swallows during the last 30
years. Every year he has around 35 couples nesting. One of the nests are 30 years old.
|
| 11 February |
Barn Swallows aired on East Coast Radio news watch -
see report |
| 10 February |
Barn Swallow Story from Wales-UK by Peter John
A story of years of barn swallow observations and what one can do to assist and encourage
the nesting read more... |
| 1 February |
Migration of Barn Swallows between Britain and South Africa was first established on 23 December
1912 when a bird that had been ringed by James Masefield at a nest in Staffordshire, was found in
Natal. This first ringing recovery was made in Natal on the coast at a place known as Umhlanga, a few
miles away from a site known as Mount Moreland.
By Trevor Snyman see Barn
Swallow Story |
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January
2011
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| 23 January |
Winter News from Finland - By Risto Jäntti........ Read
More... |
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December 2010
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30 December
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Barn Swallows roost at Ifafa, KZN........Read
More... |
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27 December
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MT MORELAND BARN SWALLOWS RELOCATE ..... Read
More.. |
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23 December
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Lesser Stripe Swallows make a home... Read
More... |
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November 2010
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14 November
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An old farmer told me many times how once in Karelia (that part of former Finland now belongs to
Russia) in the 1930´ies where his parents had a farm, one Barn Swallow did not migrate at all but
stayed for winter Read Story...... |
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10 November
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Barn Swallows - Past, Present and future Read More... |
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7 November
|
The Return of the Swallows Festival Read
More... |
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October 2010
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4 October
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News from Denmark, Europe - Finally the last couple of Barn Swallows seem to have left
our local area and started their migration to South Africa. The majority went away about 3 weeks
ago.
Photos and Read More... |
|
1 October
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The Swallows Barn; Pictures from a swallow perspective
Read Story...... |
| 5 October |
At Last! Swallows arriving at Mt Moreland and Marion Pratt reports on the English swallow
season
Read Story... |
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September
2010
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21 September
|
The first Barn Swallows are starting to arrive - no big flocks as yet - we are still waiting for
our spring rain. |
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August 2010
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2 August
|
This week, beginning August 2, has seen a flurry of activity in the skies over Mt
Moreland.
read
story
|
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July 2010
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28 July
|
Heat in Finland 35C people suffer but Barn Swallows are noted as having best breeding season on
record - By Risto Jäntti
read story |
|
24 July
|
Barn Swallow News from Texas - By Lucinda Hutcherson
read story and see photos
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21 July
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Almost all the first brood chicks are on the wing - By Risto Jäntti
read story |
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June
2010
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10 June
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Baby Barn Swallows Born - By Risto Jäntti - read
story
|
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May 2010
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20 May
|
Barn Swallow News from Abroad - By Risto Jäntti read
more |
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4 May
|
Dr Tibor Szép of Hungary has reported that one third of their Barn Swallows have returned to
date |
|
3 May
|
Notification of the first ever recapture of a barn swallow from Mt Moreland, KZN South Africa has just been
received read
more
|
|
3 May
|
Risto has just reported that the first Barn Swallows are arriving in Finland |
|
2 May
|
Barn Swallow, Mount Moreland story on Carte Blanche, view on link below
http://beta.mnet.co.za/carteblanche/Article.aspx?Id=3934&ShowId=1
|
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1 May
|
King Shaka International Airport opens |
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April 2010
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29 April
|
First flight at King Shaka International Airport, an A340 airbus arrived with 330 passengers
on boardSee photo's |
|
26 April
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Almost all of the Barn Swallows have now migrated from Mount Moreland |
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March 2010
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24 March
|
Bird arrivals, departures a priority at new airport in Africa -By Leon
Marshall
Natgeo News watch
In total darkness I felt my way through the sugarcane. I had come to watch with my own eyes what I had
observed the previous day on a radar screen: millions of swallows taking off from a wetland reed bed
wedged between the cane plantations.........
http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/news/chiefeditor/2010/03/african-airport-slots-bird-flights.html |
|
22 March
|
Mt Moreland – a haven for Frog Biodiversity - By Jeanne Tarrant
Amphibians are
currently the most threatened group of animals on Earth, with at least one third (32%) of all known
species (approximately 6300) threatened with extinction and 43% of species experiencing population
declines. In comparison....read more |
|
20 March
|
An Exceptional Barn Swallow weekend
South Africa’s premiere investigative television programme, Carte Blanche, requested to come and
find out about the swallows at Mount Moreland, our work with them and, of course, their future safety
in face of the new King Shaka Airport......read
more |
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17 March
|
Lake Victoria Conservancy Report
A grey sky evening with the threat of rain, but
what a display of barn swallows. For the first time in a long time we saw them massing from our house
along the Umdloti River. It looked so amazing .......read more |
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15 March
|
A little bit of Snow-News from Finland -By Risto Jäntti
A few days ago I said to my home folks why don´t we have our afternoon coffee in the backyard, at
the garden table.....read more |
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10 March
|
Latest Mount Moreland News to date
The Barn Swallow, previously known as, the European Swallow, is a widespread and common summer visitor
to Southern Africa, Mount Moreland. It is
regarded as the announcer of spring/summer in both the northern and southern hemispheres. It is one of
the best known migrants in the world.
In South Africa the best place to see barn swallows en masse is at the Mt Moreland
Roost...read more |
