While mowing the lawn this evening, I noticed that the swallows weren't around.
After that big gathering this morning, they really have gone south. Safe journey my little friends. I'll see you again in the spring.
I'm so glad now that I left the back door light on so they could fatten up on those crane flies.
Emma, have yours gone too?
1st September 2006: OK, they're still here this morning, but a lot fewer today than yesterday. I thought it might be a bit early for them to go.
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They were still here this afternoon, Peggy, along with the House Martins, but it was quite quiet on the Swallow front this evening. That's not altogether unusual, but I'll know for sure in the morning.
That's the thing. They were here this morning, but as I was out tonight, I didn't see a single one. Usually they're dive bombing around the front and back gardens at dusk. I think they're gone.
ufda! what a bruising sight....those bare wires. well, god love the little birds and speed their flight to someplace warmer. i really shall have to wear my cowboy boots to the office tomorrow (if i go) to cheer myself up. and my tiara, if i can find it. the boss is on her dress code broom these days. no more sandals!
The science nerd in me has to wonder - what kind of message got around to those birds telling them to line up on the wire this morning all ready to go at the same time? And the high school nerd in me has to wonder - what about the one bird that didn't get the right message and is on the wire tomorrow morning wondering where everybody went?
I can't tell you about what might be the signal to go, but obviously if they all go together, it works out for them or they would go individually. But if there is one little bird that doesn't leave with the big group, his crossing to South Africa will be harder BUT if something terrible happens to the big group (storm or something) then there will be a few birds left to carry on. Just like our tadpoles - there are some that are very late in maturing and if there is some disaster with the ordinary early maturing ones, then nature has done some selection.
Our Swallows are still here too, Peggy. We don't get them in huge numbers so I have to pick them out from among the House Martins. Much fewer House Marins around at the moment but they may have just moved on a bit as it's still too early for them to go back.
From memory (I'll have to check in my book):
The experts believe migration is triggered by changes in the amount of daylight: Less daylight sets off some sort of hormone in their brain > they start to gather > and when the weather is right they head off.
I guess I will have to be a bit more philosophical looking at those bare lines than scientific. It looks so lonely now with the grey sky and no Martins. The first picture looked dreary but with the birds it didn't look so lonely and desolate. True though, whatever the trigger, they will soon vanish in one fleeting moment.
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