Barn Swallow, 3 juvenile migrants and their parents.

Hungry Swallow fledglings, Hirundo rustica

Getting bored between meals.


Waiting for mum or dad with a juicy insect.






The other day, on my return home from the village, and passing the area where the Swallows nest each year, a group of three kept calling the parents for food. I was delighted! They reared 6 chicks earlier this summer, and these three had still enough time to fatten up and get enough flight experience, before heading all the way to South Africa.









It was too windy to get out along my local patch, and I ended up between the nettles and bramble in my backgarden, as usual, with my macro-lens, to check upon the local crawlies. A lot of chittering made me look up from the foliage, and it was soon clear that the Swallow family had chosen our roofs as vantage point.

























Our neighbour, Kevin, died suddenly, 2 weeks ago, and it is perhaps fitting that these young Swallows would bring these 3 young lives to the roof of his, and our, house. The roof, which sheltered him from 2000 till now. he was always surprised whenever I'd find (and photograph, things like Redshank, Persicaria maculosa or Scarlet Pimpernel, Anagallis arvensis, among the bricks of our path.



Hiding?

The parents kept flying to and fro with nice Insects, Flies or Moths, for the demanding youngsters, and in doing so, they would fly incredibly low over my garden and where I was sitting. Dipping to say 1.50metre or even lower,(I have no idea how "low I've sunk from my 1.70 metre as standing height" to my current "sitting height in my wheels.") they would just skim over my hair. It is lovely feling that over your head. And at a certain moment I left the camera for what she is, and just sat still and enjoyed the spectacle. All too soon, they would leave our shores again.
(To be honest, that time is not long off- the weather has really turned autumnal!

Oops! Willow Warbler visits, leaves; and returns, but why?

The Willow Warbler(s), living in the Hawthorn hedge behind us, has been returning daily. The Fennel in the planter harbours many Insects in all seasons, but now in summer, they are plentiful of course. In winter, Insects use the hollow stems of the Fennel.
A few days, I spotted the WW in the Fennel again and glad that it did not fly off while I focussed and zoomed in. After one picture she (somehow I seem think it is female. don't ask!) switched position to the back of the Fennel, which was then obscuring my view. Soon after she flew off, straight through one of the "gaps/holes" in the mesh of the fence between us and basketball cage of the school next door.
Willow Warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus

For one reason or other I followed the bird with my eyes as she flew off. As I watched, she suddenly turned herself in mid-flight, flew towards and back through the fence (same gap)
Back in the garden she landed on the wall which is part of the fence. There she looked totally out of sorts, unsure of what she came to do here, and why was she back here? This picture captures that moment, where she had just returned, and probably wondering, "What the heck am I doing here?"


She came down onto the shelving on the wall shelving, walking the narrow ridge along the wall, and disappearing behind the Fennel before she delved into the 'shelter' which the Bindweed has created here. That is where I lost sight of her.
Yet I still wonder: What did she see here, that made her come back immediately? Did she spot movement when she was on her way out?


It is amazing to think that this little Bird, about 10-12cm, is flying back to Africa again, this autumn. Yet, they, like the Swallows, chittering away all the time, above the house and flying through the garden, will have to feed and feed so they will have enough fat resources to rely on during the long migration flight.
Until then, I hope she will allow me a couple more chances for a few more photos.

Willow Warbler (juvenile?)

Last week during my ride I heard several Chiffchaffs, either in or about the gardens or in and around the fields. At the other side of the hedgerows anyway and out of view for this birder.
It was lovely listening to them anyway. Isn't that part of the enjoyment? And although the calling/singing of Chiff chaff, Chiff chaff, can get a tat boring, you always hope that one bird will vocalise its own version with a few more musical notes in-between the calls.

While in the bathroom this morning I was hearing the lovely song of the Willow Warbler, which came not from the garden but from behind the wall somewhere. Most likely from the Hawthorn hedgerow behind us. A little while ago, I spotted two small birds flying from said, Hawthorn into the mesh of the fence. Then they flew over the school yard where they more or less tumbled in the air a couple of times; kind of figure eights in the air, not for show. Actually, I think they were only learning to fly. and if so, a lot of practice they will have to do before August/September when these tiny Birds will make the long trek to Africa.

This youngster has started training for tat big trip already, and is flying all day long over the school yard, through our garden, the little field behind the village hall, back over the garden, school yard, field, past my window, little field, and so on.

Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica