The West Withy Farm swallows have been very late arriving back from over-wintering in Africa this year.
In 2014, our swallows returned in mid April. We had 15 breeding pairs return to West Withy Farm before our daffodils had come into flower – a very strange sight.
This year, our swallow have returned much later – in mid/late May – and there are fewer – perhaps 10 breeding pairs – though we will not know until nest renovation begins.
I guess swallows are very weather dependent and we have had a lot of northerly winds recently which will be a headwind for a swallow on a return journey from Africa.
But it is so good to see the swallows back and we wish them a successful breeding season.