"Jack Harrison" wrote in message
...

"Michael McNeil" wrote
Perhaps these birds are first broods? I presume they
breed in both countries?

Strangely most migratory species that come here in summer don't breed in
Africa during our winter, but only breed after northwards migration.

Jack



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.

JP

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.

"Richard Bailey" wrote in message


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.

You are basing this on the fact that they are unable to survive on
isects produced in conditions that can only be described as warm and
wet?

Would the cause be a vitamin D deficiency then?




--
Posted via Mailgate.ORG Server - http://www.Mailgate.ORG

"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

"Michael McNeil" wrote in message
news:ebb4fcd62488d0f7b7ac184497ce4430.45219@mygate .mailgate.org...
"Richard Bailey" wrote in message


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.

You are basing this on the fact that they are unable to survive on
isects produced in conditions that can only be described as warm and
wet?

Would the cause be a vitamin D deficiency then?

The variable conditions we are experiencing presently, ie. a warm spell
followed by swingeing frost, such as we experienced two night ago, give
little chance for early migrants the chance to build protein supplies to
withstand such temperature plunges. That's why they go south in the first
place.

Richard

"J.Poyner"wrote Thought this group might be interested to know that over
the past few days
there has been an unprecedented arrival in the south of the UK of some
summer migrants...House Martins, Swallows Sand Martins and also
continental
butterfly species.
snip

Some interesting insights into all this in The Daily Telegraph at:
http://makeashorterlink.com/?K1FA32B57

- Tom.

"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

"Tom Bennett" wrote in message



Some interesting insights into all this in The Daily Telegraph at:
http://makeashorterlink.com/?K1FA32B57

"We have long been warned that weather extremes would be a feature of
the climate change that is widely accepted as in progress and it
certainly seems to be turning out that way," added Mr Madge."

No amount of swallows will make a summer if they get it wrong. As it
happens I have booked this next few weeks in as very unsettled indeed.
Mind you I haven't had a good track record so far this year.

If I am right however, it would seem to indicate that these variations
are cyclical. The ease of pollution provided to US skies immediately
post September eleven did change the weather. But it did not change the
statistics or, rather, the average temperatures remained the same. But
don't quote me.


--
Posted via Mailgate.ORG Server - http://www.Mailgate.ORG

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

I was looking at the Hertfordshire bird records for 2003 which shows that
Sand Martins arrive at the beginning of March and House Martins and Swallow
at the end of the month. The current records are definitely unusual as they
are well in advance of normal arrivals and I can only assume was as a result
of the air mass source being a long way to the south.

Alan

"Michael McNeil" wrote in message
news:32051f5f2ff1a85d7d3160e920d23e3f.45219@mygate .mailgate.org

No amount of swallows will make a summer if they get it wrong.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schumann_resonance

Speaking of which they are most likely to be seen to arrive on a weekend
due tomore people being free to see them and due to their knowledge of
weather pattern and the effect pollution has on it.
Discuss.


--
Posted via Mailgate.ORG Server - http://www.Mailgate.ORG