I have been getting slightly worried recently about the lack of house martins I have seen this year compared to previous years, with my first of the year coming only a couple of weeks ago, and that was only a quick flyby by 2 birds.

But thankfully I was working on the Birtles Hall country estate on the edge of Macclesfield this afternoon which is home to large house martin colony! There were atleast 50 birds around the houses, gardens and fields all afternoon and the residents know of several nests within their houses alone! So I feel slightly better about the house martin situation now I've had a whole afternoons entertainment!

Other birds there this afternoon were:

spotted flycatcher - 2 in the garden I was working in.
Willow warbler - atleast 2 singing in the woods behind the garden.

Also one mystery song bird that I didn't recognise...? I may have to go back and investigate!

Scott

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 26th of June 2010 07:49:26 AM