The Barn Swallow Nestcam

Hi Angie,

You may recall our visit to you in February while on holiday in Umhlanga (the Irish family) and thoroughly enjoyed the swallow experience. I promised to get in touch with you as soon as the swallows arrived here in Ireland but alas, I'm a little late.     Apparently the first swallow was spotted in the south west of the country at a place called Capeclear, County Cork, on 11th March and have been gradually arriving since. They should all have arrived by now.  My first sighting was approx 20th April here in Kilkenny but few days later at my father's farm in Wexford, there was a group of about 20 swirling about the outhouses but not yet entering the houses.   They are well and truly settled in by now.  Since our visit to Mount Mooreland I have looked at these amazing little creatures in a different light!

You may be interested to have a look at a nesting female on a website which went live today and it is fabulous to watch. You'll find it at: www.rte.ie/radio/mooneygoeswild   There are two nests on the site, the other being a bluetit, whose chicks are due to fledge this weekend.  You will find the swallows nest in 'Aras an Uachtarain', which is the residence of the President of Ireland, the bluetits nest is in the garden of the presenter of the above radio show Derek Mooney. Direct link http://www.rte.ie/radio/mooneygoeswild/features/mooneycam/swallow_nestcam_aras.html

I hope you get as much enjoyment out of this insight as we do here - its fascinating.

Best regards,

Ann (Gunning)

 

Ann contacted the radio station with my response and delight at the webcam prospects. The Irish radio station contacted me yesterday afternoon and Derek Mooney interviewed me live on air about the Barn Swallows in South Africa.
It is always a wonderful experience to share and experience this wonderful little bird with others, thank you for the opportunity.