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Birds
Jul 11, 2009 12:44:08 GMT
Post by mcfarmer on Jul 11, 2009 12:44:08 GMT
I heard this was a more "genteel" place than my usual haunts so I thought maybe this photo would get better reception over here. I couldn't bear the "spit or swallow" comments my favorite feathered friends might receive over there. Never seen six to a nest, parents must be busy.
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Birds
Jul 11, 2009 15:44:10 GMT
Post by spike on Jul 11, 2009 15:44:10 GMT
what you trying to say mac the green place is full of ruffians?nice pic
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Birds
Jul 11, 2009 15:45:04 GMT
Post by stockslave on Jul 11, 2009 15:45:04 GMT
Beautiful picture, beautiful birds McFarmer. I have them in my stable block and look forward to their arrival each year. Love them to bits. How did you manage to photograph them? I have to wait for mine to leave the nests as their right up in the eaves, so never get a chance to count what is in each nest. Being cheeky anymore photo's of them? ;D
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Birds
Jul 11, 2009 16:00:00 GMT
Post by mcfarmer on Jul 11, 2009 16:00:00 GMT
what you trying to say mac the green place is full of ruffians?nice pic Nah - I just want to keep my quiet, gentle side under wraps. Beautiful picture, beautiful birds McFarmer. I have them in my stable block and look forward to their arrival each year. Love them to bits. How did you manage to photograph them? I have to wait for mine to leave the nests as their right up in the eaves, so never get a chance to count what is in each nest. Being cheeky anymore photo's of them? ;D These aren't the same species but swallows just the same. Closer:
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Birds
Jul 11, 2009 16:08:37 GMT
Post by spike on Jul 11, 2009 16:08:37 GMT
on the subject of swallows why do they buzz my tractor even flying underneath it whilst on the move 8-)im thinking sheer fun or it is disturbing insects?
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Birds
Jul 11, 2009 17:52:19 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2009 17:52:19 GMT
Beautiful photo of swallows Mcfarmer, thanks for sharing. At the risk of showing my ignorance where do your visitors overwinter?
I don't know if swallows stay to breed in here, but a pair were flying around our fields this spring - most unusual.
Spike I would guess they are after insects that you've disturbed.
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Birds
Jul 11, 2009 19:11:42 GMT
Post by stockslave on Jul 11, 2009 19:11:42 GMT
Don't quote me because I could be barking up the wrong tree, but I believe they migrate to Africa for the winter. Always amazes me that the hatchlings can fly that far. Their aerodynamics are a wonder to behold, even the dog will lie in the middle of the field watching them swoop and soar. Fantastic!
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Birds
Jul 11, 2009 19:56:17 GMT
Post by oxenboy on Jul 11, 2009 19:56:17 GMT
great pictures,ours nest high up in cow shed on their second batch now.Ten will leave,lucky to get a pair back the following year, do the others all die or go somewhere else?
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Birds
Jul 11, 2009 20:14:34 GMT
Post by mcfarmer on Jul 11, 2009 20:14:34 GMT
Beautiful photo of swallows Mcfarmer, thanks for sharing. At the risk of showing my ignorance where do your visitors overwinter? Ours winter in Argentina. We have four varieties here, barn, tree, bank, and mud builders. When the barn swallows come back it's time to plant corn. At this time of year no one is safe around them, they will dive at anything that comes near.
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Birds
Jul 11, 2009 21:03:05 GMT
Post by lafemmenikita on Jul 11, 2009 21:03:05 GMT
on the subject of swallows why do they buzz my tractor even flying underneath it whilst on the move 8-)im thinking sheer fun or it is disturbing insects? i don't really want to be the first to say this, but have you ever considered your personal hygiene spike? after all, flies often follow the smell of sh#t, thus attracting the beautiful acrobatic swallows. lovely photos mr mac.
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Birds
Jul 11, 2009 21:41:25 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2009 21:41:25 GMT
Don't quote me because I could be barking up the wrong tree, but I believe they migrate to Africa for the winter. You're right about the UK visitors Stockslave, I did hazard a guess that the US ones went south also
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Birds
Jul 11, 2009 21:42:48 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2009 21:42:48 GMT
Thanks McF for confirming my guess!
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Birds
Jul 11, 2009 23:34:22 GMT
Post by 4wd on Jul 11, 2009 23:34:22 GMT
I was under the impression North European ones went to Africa and had another breeding session, but there was a BBC wildlife prog about them and they followed a group south. They took a quite leisurely meandering route right down to South Africa and only stayed their a short time (without breeding) before setting of North again. Considering the tiny size of their body minus wing feathers it is an incredible journey to undertake every year
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Birds
Jul 12, 2009 0:46:19 GMT
Post by mcfarmer on Jul 12, 2009 0:46:19 GMT
I was under the impression North European ones went to Africa and had another breeding session, but there was a BBC wildlife prog about them and they followed a group south. They took a quite leisurely meandering route right down to South Africa and only stayed their a short time (without breeding) before setting of North again. Considering the tiny size of their body minus wing feathers it is an incredible journey to undertake every year You should read about the North American Monarch butterfly. It's migration takes longer than it's lifespan. Think about that. The ones that go south have never been there before but make it to the same forest in Mexico where they nearly break the branches with their collective weight. Wikipedia says they are one of the few that make trans-atlantic flights. They are sometimes seen in Great Britain.
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Birds
Jul 12, 2009 6:40:12 GMT
Post by spike on Jul 12, 2009 6:40:12 GMT
on the subject of swallows why do they buzz my tractor even flying underneath it whilst on the move 8-)im thinking sheer fun or it is disturbing insects? i don't really want to be the first to say this, but have you ever considered your personal hygiene spike? after all, flies often follow the smell of sh#t, thus attracting the beautiful acrobatic swallows. lovely photos mr mac. you are the first to say it as you seem to have no concept of friendly ribaldry.we are mainly online pals on here so please try and maintain a sense of decorum.to get back on topic what about swifts i admit to knowing very little about them do they migrate?
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