One swallow....

I know Aristotle said that 'one swallow does not a summer make' but one is all it's taken to make my day! Last night my husband saw a couple circling over the garden but they did not take up residence in our little pig cott which is where we have a nesting pair or two every year. Last year they turned up later, in the middle of May, but for the previous two years they had arrived on April 22 each time. As yesterday was the same date it would seem fated but I can only honestly say that today, the 23rd, is the first time one solitary swallow has returned to take up residence.

When you think that these birds have a brain no bigger than a pea it is hard to understand how they can travel 6000 miles and navigate their way back to the same breeding place, on the same day virtually. Absolutely wonderful. No wonder they are my favourite bird. I hope our swallow is joined by a mate very soon but so many are shot down over places like Malta and North Africa that their lives can be a bit of a lottery.

The garden is starting to look very very lush and green so it shows that summer is on it's way. This Centaurea montana 'Violetta' was looking wonderful by the back door this afternoon and whilst I had the camera on it a bumble bee came along and took advantage....

The flowers alone are lovely but to see a bee enjoying the nectar makes it even more special.

My husband has his first hive ready for this summer and hopes to have his bees soon but times are desperate for these amazing creatures. Some bumble bee species have become extinct in the UK in recent years and the honey bee is struggling badly. We need a good warm, dry summer to try and stem the tide that's currently going in the wrong direction.

One swallow might not a summer make - but I hope it's a good omen of better days ahead. Keep the faith!