"J.Poyner" wrote in message
...

"Richard Bailey" wrote in message
...
The advantage of this being the extra day length that they get in
Northern
latitudes combined with plenty of food also which enables them to
raise
up
to three broods.

However, those migrants arriving this early are not likely to find much
in
the way of insects to sustain them for long. They probably won't
survive.

Richard.


Even quite low temperatures will produce some flying insects especally
around coastal areas. Up to four Swallows managed to survive this winter
around the Lossiemouth coast until at least Mid December!
My guess is that these birds will now manage to stay on albeit on a
limited
diet. Further influxes continue with a Red-rumped Swallow seen yesterday.
This species is only a vagrant to the UK.......and to turn up in February
way north of it;s normal breeding range extremely unusual.
Something very odd has happened this year without doubt as we are seeing
migration patterns which normally don't start until at least another four
to
six weeks. Seems as if spring has been pushed forward somewhat.
Interesting
to see if this develops further or whether it is just a short lived
event.

JP


These days we normally welcome home swallows in early April, earlier than in
the past. We had one swallow that for several years consistently returned at
the end of March (and made home the same favoured barn), possibly/probably
the same bird each time. This bird survived fierce -4C April frosts and
snowstorm (though we did put a heat lamp on for him for some warmth at
night, which it roosted above - no mug he, and a sheltered dry home must
have helped). Whatever swallows are pretty tough, just not tough enough to
survive winter or prolonged cold?

Peter