Unlike the Barn Swallow which I grew up with the Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena) is with us all year, and is not a harbinger of spring.
While some birds from Tasmania head north into Queensland in the winter, we have these birds with us all year.
In a couple of the pictures you can see that the gape of the beak is yellow: this means this is a young bird. As February (when the pictures were taken) is near the end of the breeding season for these birds, I suspect that a few second broods were produced.
As you can see from the pictures, I was not in a nature reserve to take these images - in fact it's a building site for a new sports facility. I think the birds were taking advantage of the insects that were flying over a new bass sports oval.
As ever, you can join in with WBW by clicking on the link below - and also as ever, please feel free to share WBW with other bloggers.
I find it hard to believe that I have been doing WBW for almost 400 weeks, without missing a week. We used to get 70 are so bloggers linking up - but now we just have a nard core of about 20! So, all messages of encouragement are very welcome! SM
While some birds from Tasmania head north into Queensland in the winter, we have these birds with us all year.
In a couple of the pictures you can see that the gape of the beak is yellow: this means this is a young bird. As February (when the pictures were taken) is near the end of the breeding season for these birds, I suspect that a few second broods were produced.
As you can see from the pictures, I was not in a nature reserve to take these images - in fact it's a building site for a new sports facility. I think the birds were taking advantage of the insects that were flying over a new bass sports oval.
I find it hard to believe that I have been doing WBW for almost 400 weeks, without missing a week. We used to get 70 are so bloggers linking up - but now we just have a nard core of about 20! So, all messages of encouragement are very welcome! SM
Good morning Stewart: It always strikes me that Welcome Swallow is such a lovely name. I am sure that a corps of them is already practicing living up to their moniker in preparation for my visit a mere four months away. No doubt you will also wish to have the "Welcome to Mont Albert" banners festooning the streets, the holes in the red carpet patched, the streets cleaned, the instruments in the brass band polished and tuned, the wine breathing, the Covid-19 virus banished, the fires extinguished, the birds returning, the vegetation regenerating, the kangaroos bounding, and those wonderful Sulphur-crested Cockatoos performing tricks as only they can. If anything else springs to mind, I will be sure to let you know. And by the way, 400 WBWs is impressive indeed. Give or take a couple of weeks that's eight years of dedication. Bravo, I say. Well done.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds! They look very much like our Barn Swallows.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI liked that swallow present and not very shy.
Nice show.
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteA Welcome sight indeed! YAM xx
Que lindo.
ReplyDeleteAdoro ver o seu trabalho.
Sorrisos esvoaçantes.🌼
Megy Maia
WOW! Nearly 400 WBW that is brilliant Stewart I also have noticed a big drop in people joining memes and commenting although in fairness i cannot find the time to comment as much as i used to but i have not stopped joining all the memes that i have already joined. Anyway, I always love the Welcome Swallow, very well named and a lovely little bird and these are great photographs. Thanks for hosting this wonderful meme and have a wonderful week.
ReplyDeleteThat is very interesting. I was wondering where and where the birds migrate from your site. I haven't been interested in it at all.
ReplyDeleteThe head colouring of that swallow is different from the birds I see in eastern Canada. Pretty bird.
ReplyDeleteNice swallow, and interesting that it can find flying insects all year around.
ReplyDeleteLovely set of photos for an interesting swallow. I seldom ever see swallows here settled, they seem to be forever on the wing! Well done on the 400 WBW, quite a feat. Cheers Diane
ReplyDeleteGorgeous series!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos!
ReplyDeleteWow! That is a lot of posts!
WBW is what makes Wednesdays special!
Interesting that almost all your subjects are facing the same way. On first look I thought it was the same bird throughout and wondered how it felt about you following it around.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful,it is still winter here in Ohio,USA. They will be showing up soon some of our birds have started returning. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteGreat shots! Our swallows have the same shape but different coloration.
ReplyDeleteTerrific set of photographs, Stewart!
ReplyDeleteHow do you get a swallow to perch for you? All the ones I spot are moving in a zig-zag flight at the speed of light.
Congratulations on maintaining the blog! I have been negligent in participating and will try to do better.
Have a great week!