I am beginning to appreciate just how valuable the notes are that I have made over the last 5 years, and this was really brought home today with the return of a pair of House Martins.
All week I have been looking out and listening for them, as I knew they were due back any day now. And today was the day. As soon as I got up this morning I heard them, and sure enough, there they were circling the house and already investigating last year's nest.
But they were late! I looked back on the last few years records I have kept, and realised just how predicable they have been in the past.
2013 - arrived back 14th April
2014 - arrived back 14th April
2015 - arrived back 14th April
2016 - arrived back 15th April
I like to think though that they arrived back just before midnight last night, and stuck to their 14th April plan.
One of last year's broods
Birds really are amazing aren't they Findlay.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they turned up last night.
I have a pair of Oystercatchers that return to the same site every February 20th. Birds are very peculiar at times
ReplyDeleteDid they know about the extra day this leap year ?
ReplyDeletepeter
That's an amazing record Findlay, we rely on an atomic clock to keep us on time...nature just gets on with it...[;o)
ReplyDeleteA perfect example of why patch watching and good records are so important! Regular as clockwork!
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne