Kitchen Garden Forum

Hi

Just had an e-mail from BTO asking if anyone has any late swallow broods

I spotted a couple about 3 weeks ago I hate it when they leave

Swallows leave it late

Given fair weather, late broods could still make it to Africa
It's not been easy for Swallows this year. Many returned to the UK later than normal this spring, having been held up by poor weather further south. However, it appears that some may be setting off late this autumn too. This year we have received reports of at least seven nests still containing young in October, with one brood fledging as late as 11 October. This is quite unusual - of the 45,000 Swallow nest records collected by the BTO Nest Record Scheme since 1939, only 16 Swallow nests have ever been recorded with chicks in October. Have you had late Swallow broods? If so, let us know by emailing nrs@bto.org.

Hope you can help

Kind Regards

Arnie

I got that email too. We had what I thought was a late brood fledging towards the end of September but nowhere near as late as they are looking for. It was the only brood we had this year, an early pair started to nest then disappeared.
Saw migrating Swallows last week and Bramblings on Thursday - strange year!