Swallows

One of the unexpected consequences of the coronavirus lockdown, and of being anchored to more or less the same local lanes and footpaths for four months, is that I have been able to follow the whole breeding cycle of local bird populations.

I saw the first swallow arrive on this barn, where it nested, in mid-April. Yesterday the fledglings had left the nest and were lined up along the fence, clamouring to be fed.

Courtship

More new arrivals, in May

Hawking for flies over a field of ripening barley

Zooming between the sheep, skimming the grass for insects, in a pasture

Newly fledged youngsters, clamouring for food. The parent bird coaxed them to fly and take food from her in mid-air - the first stage in learning to catch food for themselves.