Swallows Again!

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 Our resident swallows appeared to have left us at least two weeks ago. Today we have a flock of around 150 swallows hoovering up insects around the house. I am struggling to find out more about swallow migration. I know that our British swallows travel to France and then through Spain to North Africa when they either cross the Sahara or follow the African coast down to South Africa. I know that they migrate at low levels as they feed as they go. I know that they cover around 200 miles a day with a max flight speed of 35 mph. What is less clear is whether or not there are traditional migration routes within the UK (it looks as if we might be on a swallow super highway) and how long they might hang about in a particular area. This group has been with us for a day and a half now.





What I would love to know is from where have these swallows come? How far North  of here ( a long way I am guessing). Have they all come from the same area or have they met up for company on the journey with swallows from other areas? Is there an body out there with any answers?!

Diary
A blustery couple of days. I re positioned my trail cams last night around some holes in the ground that have appeared in the garden in the hope of discovering what had made them -  unsuccessful but I did catch a red squirrel and a hedgehog.  I guess the hedgehogs will be getting ready to hibernate quite soon (Oct or Nov in this area) so its good to see them about.

I saw a couple of painted lady butterflies in the garden this morning - blown up by the strong winds?




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