Swallows gather before their long migration

Musical notes.

Those that know me well, will know that my wife and I took up Croquet during Covid and Diana in particular, has really taken to it, even qualifying to play in the Women’s World Championships that were held on the South coast last month. Besides the croquet, I have been taken by the birds that seem to enjoy the lawns, from Wagtails at the Roehampton Club to the Swallows that I discovered when I joined Diana in Devon a week or so ago for one of her competitions.

The birds love the insects that are attracted to the lawns and sweep across the grass, sometimes very close to the players. They are consummate flyers.

Not a great picture but I have zoomed in to show you how close they come.

Given how close they are to leaving us for the winter, I was surprised by how many young were still begging and getting fed. Amazing to witness, as the parents come in very fast and deposit the insects straight into their mouths without touching down.

They nest on site under some eaves.

I look forward to catching up with them again next year and hopefully finding out where the Wagtails nest at The Roehampton Club.