Early arrivals from Africa? Swallows and whitethroat.
Louise Aspden said
Sat Apr 10 5:51 PM, 2021
I have had a least one swallow in worsley/walkden since the beginning of the week
sid ashton said
Sun Apr 4 8:56 PM, 2021
I recall reading that one Swallow, nick-named locally as Rambo, survived the coldest winter for 30 years in 2008-09 at minus 12 degrees C at times.
This was on the RSPB Marazion reserve in Cornwall and became the subject of a big twitch!!!
Rob Creek said
Sun Apr 4 10:38 AM, 2021
No probs John, I was quite surprised myself when I looked. Certainly didnt expect that many Swallow sightings. Yeah I think the 5 or so birds at Pilsworth are new in, otherwise theres a good chance they wouldve been seen earlier.
I think Andy has raised a valid point too in that many birds could well be caught out in the cold snap and it will probably affect those on the wing - unless they can get down to shelter - more so than those already here that couldve already found a spot with shelter and food.
John Watson said
Sun Apr 4 10:18 AM, 2021
Thanks Rob, I've learnt something today! Wasn't aware of those wintering individuals
But for the novice OP, these really are uncommon & the birds he's seen are definitely new arrivals
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Apr 4 8:19 AM, 2021
Hi John,
there is a well used thread called ‘birding apps’ on this forum already, which you can find using the search facility and it already has plenty of information on there which may be of use to you but feel free to comment on that thread and perhaps you’ll get some more updated replies.
cheers
John Roberts said
Sun Apr 4 1:58 AM, 2021
Thanks for the response. I looked to find a "BirdGuides" app on the Apple store but couldn't see one with that exact name. If there is a really good birding app I'd like to download it.
So far I've tried "chirpomatic" to identify birdsongs if I hear something out of the ordinary. It seems a bit hit and miss but I think it usually gives plausible suggestions. It correctly identified nuthatch and mistle thrush the other day because I used the app first and then managed to spot the birds. If I hadn't used the app I'd probably have just walked on and not taken the time to look closer and locate the birds.
Cheers
John
John Roberts said
Sun Apr 4 1:44 AM, 2021
Hi all
Thanks for all your comments and insights, they have helped me to learn something about bird migration to the UK.
I've also read up on it a bit over the last couple of days. It's miraculous how such tiny creatures travel so far and know where they are going to be able to return to the same spots year after year. I won't have chance to go to Clowbridge to check if the whitethroat is still around for a week or more, but I'll keep checking on the swallows at Pilsworth and hope they will survive the predicted cold snap which is due in the next few days.
Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.
Cheers
John.
Lez Fairclough said
Sat Apr 3 11:14 PM, 2021
The polar jet stream has a major effect on weather over the U.K. & western Europe & recently has been sitting to the north of the U.K. presenting favourable wind & conditions for birds migrating to the U.K. from the south especially from Africa.
Over this weekend the polar jet stream is dipping sharply south over the U.K. allowing arctic air & conditions to prevail from Monday
& as Andy rightly said could catch out a few of the early incoming spring migrants.
Andy Bissitt said
Sat Apr 3 8:58 PM, 2021
Rob Creek wrote:
Hi John, I thought Swallow and Whitethroat records wouldve been rare too but a brief check on the BirdGuides app shows all the sightings hence why I said theyve been sighted all winter, and up and down the country, plenty in the northern half of the UK too. Cumbria, Northumberland, Dundee, Highlands, Lothian, Durham, N.Yorks, E.Yorks, Staffs, etc, etc for Swallows. Then for Whitethroats ... one at Gowy, Cheshire in November, Staffs in Dec, Bucks, Hamps, Beds, in Feb. Then likely returning birds Wilts, Gloucs, Devon, towards end of March then a string of sightings now in April.
They are all going to be in trouble for a while, starting Monday. Fingers crossed that the cold spell is only for a few days. It does show you though that the 'old wives tale' that birds know what the weather will do does not apply to incoming migrants in Spring. They just take a gamble - some you win...
Rob Creek said
Sat Apr 3 5:14 PM, 2021
Hi John, I thought Swallow and Whitethroat records wouldve been rare too but a brief check on the BirdGuides app shows all the sightings hence why I said theyve been sighted all winter, and up and down the country, plenty in the northern half of the UK too. Cumbria, Northumberland, Dundee, Highlands, Lothian, Durham, N.Yorks, E.Yorks, Staffs, etc, etc for Swallows. Then for Whitethroats ... one at Gowy, Cheshire in November, Staffs in Dec, Bucks, Hamps, Beds, in Feb. Then likely returning birds Wilts, Gloucs, Devon, towards end of March then a string of sightings now in April.
Doc Brewster said
Sat Apr 3 1:47 PM, 2021
John Roberts wrote:
I saw a group of at least 5 swallows round some old farm buildings at Pilsworth today, and a whitethroat at Gambleside on Wednesday. These seem early to me, but that's just my gut feeling. Does anyone else think the same? Have there been favourable winds en route from Africa? I'd be interested in opinions from more experienced birders, I'm still a bit of a novice.
Thanks John
Therer was also a NW March Yellow Wagtail and a Hobby at Woolston today. Some years are like this. In 2004 a Garden Warbler was at Woolston Eyes on April 2nd.
John Watson said
Sat Apr 3 12:43 PM, 2021
Always nice to assist "novices"
I think wintering Swallows & Whitethroat are extremely rare, if ever. However, there are occasional records of very late Swallows heading south, or very early Swallows heading north. These records are invariably on the UK south coast
I'll attempt to generalise here, without too much detail:
Migration is affected by weather, food availability, and (for some) day length
Migration is generally driven by conditions where the bird is currently, not the expected conditions 2000 miles away. eg, food (insects) running out -> start moving to somewhere there is abundant food, and therefore breeding opportunities
Some species migrate north (spring) earlier than others - winter by Mediterranean, less fussy about food, farther to travel (eg high Arctic), etc
Some species migrate south (autumn) earlier than others - done breeding, farther to travel (eg S Africa), etc
Day length can be a factor for species (geese, ducks) that needs light to feed, so moves away from the Arctic
Weather: if there's a southerly wind in spring (ie, recently), birds will drift north; if the wind swings to the north (next week), migration will stall. It's much easier mechanically with a wind assist. Sometimes (couple years back?) migration will stall so long that some birds decide to breed there rather than continue migration
The weather works in reverse in autumn. Food shortages (esp insects) forces birds to go elsewhere
Food: for insectivores, if it's too hot (Sahara insummer) or too cold (N Europe in winter), then feeding becomes a problem. For herbivores, there have to be enough shoots and/or seeds
~~ Hope I've covered enough to help, and given encouragement to think through what happens
Doc Brewster said
Sat Apr 3 12:20 PM, 2021
Just today I have recorded my earliest ever Garden Warbler, both heard and then seen, at Newchurch Common, Cheshire. This follows my earliest site records for Willow Warbler and Blackcap. So it does look like this year that there is an early arrival. At least locally to me anyway, as that's all the evidence I have.
Rob Creek said
Sat Apr 3 1:38 AM, 2021
Hi John, a quick search tells you that there were recorded sightings of Swallow and Whitethroat throughout the winter and returning birds are now starting to arrive. I personally couldnt tell you which were the first returning birds though, it would be pure speculation on my part.
What I would say though is that from what Ive read - comments and sightings of various species this spring (on the forum and other info services) it appears that many of them are arriving before earliest recorded dates for previous years, so it wouldnt surprise me if that trend continued.
As to the exact reason why, it would be difficult to ascertain. Change in the length of daylight hours, weather patterns producing a window of opportunity, and food availability (which incidentally could be linked to any of those reasons) are often viewed as the some of the main factors, but evidence in the last decade or so suggests climate change is also having a considerable effect on bird migration.
Interesting to note too that an article I read states those species that are adapting and migrating earlier are seemingly in better shape numbers wise than those species that are sticking to roughly the same dates, and appear to be in decline. It was also noted that individuals of species dont always conform to trends and can stick to the traditional dates or can be either early or late.
Cheers.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Saturday 3rd of April 2021 02:24:48 AM
John Roberts said
Fri Apr 2 9:58 PM, 2021
I saw a group of at least 5 swallows round some old farm buildings at Pilsworth today, and a whitethroat at Gambleside on Wednesday. These seem early to me, but that's just my gut feeling. Does anyone else think the same? Have there been favourable winds en route from Africa? I'd be interested in opinions from more experienced birders, I'm still a bit of a novice.
I recall reading that one Swallow, nick-named locally as Rambo, survived the coldest winter for 30 years in 2008-09 at minus 12 degrees C at times.
This was on the RSPB Marazion reserve in Cornwall and became the subject of a big twitch!!!
Yeah I think the 5 or so birds at Pilsworth are new in, otherwise theres a good chance they wouldve been seen earlier.
I think Andy has raised a valid point too in that many birds could well be caught out in the cold snap and it will probably affect those on the wing - unless they can get down to shelter - more so than those already here that couldve already found a spot with shelter and food.
But for the novice OP, these really are uncommon & the birds he's seen are definitely new arrivals
Hi John,
there is a well used thread called ‘birding apps’ on this forum already, which you can find using the search facility and it already has plenty of information on there which may be of use to you but feel free to comment on that thread and perhaps you’ll get some more updated replies.
cheers
Thanks for the response. I looked to find a "BirdGuides" app on the Apple store but couldn't see one with that exact name. If there is a really good birding app I'd like to download it.
So far I've tried "chirpomatic" to identify birdsongs if I hear something out of the ordinary. It seems a bit hit and miss but I think it usually gives plausible suggestions. It correctly identified nuthatch and mistle thrush the other day because I used the app first and then managed to spot the birds. If I hadn't used the app I'd probably have just walked on and not taken the time to look closer and locate the birds.
Cheers
John
Hi all
Thanks for all your comments and insights, they have helped me to learn something about bird migration to the UK.
I've also read up on it a bit over the last couple of days. It's miraculous how such tiny creatures travel so far and know where they are going to be able to return to the same spots year after year. I won't have chance to go to Clowbridge to check if the whitethroat is still around for a week or more, but I'll keep checking on the swallows at Pilsworth and hope they will survive the predicted cold snap which is due in the next few days.
Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.
Cheers
John.
The polar jet stream has a major effect on weather over the U.K. & western Europe & recently has been sitting to the north of the U.K. presenting favourable wind & conditions for birds migrating to the U.K. from the south especially from Africa.
Over this weekend the polar jet stream is dipping sharply south over the U.K. allowing arctic air & conditions to prevail from Monday
& as Andy rightly said could catch out a few of the early incoming spring migrants.
They are all going to be in trouble for a while, starting Monday. Fingers crossed that the cold spell is only for a few days. It does show you though that the 'old wives tale' that birds know what the weather will do does not apply to incoming migrants in Spring. They just take a gamble - some you win...
I thought Swallow and Whitethroat records wouldve been rare too but a brief check on the BirdGuides app shows all the sightings hence why I said theyve been sighted all winter, and up and down the country, plenty in the northern half of the UK too.
Cumbria, Northumberland, Dundee, Highlands, Lothian, Durham, N.Yorks, E.Yorks, Staffs, etc, etc for Swallows.
Then for Whitethroats ... one at Gowy, Cheshire in November, Staffs in Dec, Bucks, Hamps, Beds, in Feb. Then likely returning birds Wilts, Gloucs, Devon, towards end of March then a string of sightings now in April.
Therer was also a NW March Yellow Wagtail and a Hobby at Woolston today. Some years are like this. In 2004 a Garden Warbler was at Woolston Eyes on April 2nd.
I think wintering Swallows & Whitethroat are extremely rare, if ever. However, there are occasional records of very late Swallows heading south, or very early Swallows heading north. These records are invariably on the UK south coast
I'll attempt to generalise here, without too much detail:
Migration is affected by weather, food availability, and (for some) day length
Migration is generally driven by conditions where the bird is currently, not the expected conditions 2000 miles away. eg, food (insects) running out -> start moving to somewhere there is abundant food, and therefore breeding opportunities
Some species migrate north (spring) earlier than others - winter by Mediterranean, less fussy about food, farther to travel (eg high Arctic), etc
Some species migrate south (autumn) earlier than others - done breeding, farther to travel (eg S Africa), etc
Day length can be a factor for species (geese, ducks) that needs light to feed, so moves away from the Arctic
Weather: if there's a southerly wind in spring (ie, recently), birds will drift north; if the wind swings to the north (next week), migration will stall. It's much easier mechanically with a wind assist. Sometimes (couple years back?) migration will stall so long that some birds decide to breed there rather than continue migration
The weather works in reverse in autumn. Food shortages (esp insects) forces birds to go elsewhere
Food: for insectivores, if it's too hot (Sahara insummer) or too cold (N Europe in winter), then feeding becomes a problem. For herbivores, there have to be enough shoots and/or seeds
~~
Hope I've covered enough to help, and given encouragement to think through what happens
Just today I have recorded my earliest ever Garden Warbler, both heard and then seen, at Newchurch Common, Cheshire. This follows my earliest site records for Willow Warbler and Blackcap. So it does look like this year that there is an early arrival. At least locally to me anyway, as that's all the evidence I have.
a quick search tells you that there were recorded sightings of Swallow and Whitethroat throughout the winter and returning birds are now starting to arrive. I personally couldnt tell you which were the first returning birds though, it would be pure speculation on my part.
What I would say though is that from what Ive read - comments and sightings of various species this spring (on the forum and other info services) it appears that many of them are arriving before earliest recorded dates for previous years, so it wouldnt surprise me if that trend continued.
As to the exact reason why, it would be difficult to ascertain. Change in the length of daylight hours, weather patterns producing a window of opportunity, and food availability (which incidentally could be linked to any of those reasons) are often viewed as the some of the main factors, but evidence in the last decade or so suggests climate change is also having a considerable effect on bird migration.
Interesting to note too that an article I read states those species that are adapting and migrating earlier are seemingly in better shape numbers wise than those species that are sticking to roughly the same dates, and appear to be in decline. It was also noted that individuals of species dont always conform to trends and can stick to the traditional dates or can be either early or late.
Cheers.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Saturday 3rd of April 2021 02:24:48 AM
I saw a group of at least 5 swallows round some old farm buildings at Pilsworth today, and a whitethroat at Gambleside on Wednesday. These seem early to me, but that's just my gut feeling. Does anyone else think the same?
Have there been favourable winds en route from Africa?
I'd be interested in opinions from more experienced birders, I'm still a bit of a novice.
Thanks
John