First flight

I thought that the swallows who nest in our pig cott had a brood which fledged a week or so ago because there have been so many of them flying in and out, but I saw another group of them take to the wing for the first time yesterday morning. I was up very early and saw these young swallows really struggling to get themselves airborne. The effort seemed to exhaust them and they dropped to a perch in the little cherry tree outside my kitchen door where they stayed for about 20 minutes. As swallows rarely perch in trees it was a real treat to watch these babies close up.

They then flew off and disappeared for the main part of the day which is the norm. I always suppose they are out hawking for flies or having a siesta, getting themselves prepared for the 'fly-fest' that always happens in the early evening. Around 6pm they were back, sitting in the same tree and basking in the sunlight. There are four of them in this brood and if the weather stays warm it would not surprise me if the parents don't manage a second lot. Should it rain as it did at the same time last year, then that will not happen.

Taking photos through your kitchen window is not to be recommended if you want clarity but there was no way I was going to frighten them off. In the afternoon I did go outside with the camera and they were not spooked at all but the sun was so bright that the camera couldn't pick up anything other than blurry shapes. I just stood there for about 30 minutes or so just watching the parents come and go feeding them, alerted to their arrival by a group of screaming youngsters with open beaks. If you blinked you missed it! They come in so fast, feed and then take off, barely resting on the tree branch at all. They are wondrous things. Along with swifts, they are my favourite bird and they are are already out again early this morning. Yet again, I have a grandstand seat. Lucky me.