I am very excited! I have just seen my first swallow of the year. He was passing through heading inland on his own. So probably a male as they generally arrive first. "Our" swallows. Those that nest with us every year should not be many days behind now.
I know the old saying "One swallow does not make a summer" But it`s a start!

The sighting of birds that signify the changing of the seasons surely counts as a small joy! I'm sure you agree, LD.

I do indeed Evil. In fact a tremendous joy for me as I adore the swallow my most favourite of all the birds. As soon as the swallows that nest with us arrive we shall follow tradition and open a bottle of champagne! Every autumn on that morning when I venture outside and look to the skies and they are empty I feel quite sad and eagerly await their return the following spring.

That is a lovely story. I also like to mark the seasons by the natural signs, though being in the city it is not always easy. We've just seen our little feathered friends depart for the summer to the cooler mountains. They are called 'white eye' in English and they usually visit us every day in the late winter to eat the fruit we leave out for them.

That is a really pretty bird James. Thanks for the picture. I think that there is almost something magical about migratory species. I like to think the Swallows bring the summer with them! The warm light evenings when it is possable to sit in the garden and watch and listen to the birds with drink in hand are almost here. Hooray!

Where do they nest Lazy? In your barn or someplace like that? By the way, I bbq'd TWICE this past weekend:cheer:

Twice! Good man Tom. We have an out building on the end of our cottage about the size of a double garage. They nest up in the roof on a wooden purlin. we leave the door open for them so they swoop in and out all day long once they are here. there is a twenty year old nest they return to each year. it has been repaired and enlarged by them and is still used annually.

Lovely bird, James. I'm always interested in seeing exotic birds ever since I saw my first turkey vulture flying around when I was abroad and it seemed like something out of Dr Who. I was over the moon when I saw the green parrots coming in to roost in Hyde Park after I had first seen them on television.

Japan celebrates the spring blossom in a special way with picnics. I'd like that.

Lazy Daisy wrote:


Hi Lazy Daisy

im not sure you'll be interested in this but theres a lovely dvd out about migratory birds. its called 'Winged Migration' by Jacques Perrin. Its awesome they used balloons and gliders and stuff to film various species of migratory birds, the camerawork is incredible and the music good too, the commentary is kept to a minimum coz the visuals are enough. Its got sad bits in but very uplifting parts too


heres a brief clip of it

{youtube}XnuGMyrCxQM{/youtube}

take care

lovely pic btw James

S

Hi Suzy.
Thanks for that it was lovely.
I will look out for the d.v.d. I think it would interest me greatly.
Thanks again X Lazy Daisy.