Swallows and House Martins

Location: the pond (yet again). This is a view across the water. The building is home to Falmer parish council.

And yes I did see ducklings, moorhen chicks and goslings. I'm worried though that too much cuteness may carry a health risk, so today I'm going to post a few shots of two other birds that frequent the pond: swallows and house martins.

The swallows have been around for a few weeks and have been tormenting the lens as they sweep over the surface of the pond hunting insects. The house martins are late arrivals, though both species will now be around for the summer. Today both species were being relatively lazy, choosing to feed in the soft mud at the edge of the pond. First a swallow.

Now the house martin.

And finally the pair together.


Nature Blog Network
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.

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This Post Has 10 Comments

  1. cakkleberrylane

    28 Apr 2011

    It looks like good hunting grounds for the. Lovely littlw birds!

  2. gdare

    28 Apr 2011

    House Martin and Swallow look similar… :left:

  3. SittingFox

    30 Apr 2011

    I guess the martins were gathering mud to build their nests?

  4. Words

    2 May 2011

    Adele, yes I'm sure you're right about nest building.

  5. Words

    2 May 2011

    Darko, simialr but not identical. The swallows have very long tails, plus a red face 😉

  6. Words

    2 May 2011

    Erwin, thanks. The house martins will build nests under the eaves of the local houses, which I can imagine can get quite noisy for the householders!

  7. Words

    2 May 2011

    Lois, thanks. They were very busy down there. As Adele points out they were probably gathering mud for nests. Feeding the young will come later 😉

  8. Ukwildlife

    7 May 2011

    Great shots! Ive never found swallows and martins doing this in the UK so Hva enever got close enough for good pics.

  9. Words

    7 May 2011

    Neil, the mix of bird life at the pond always surprises me, but the swallows and house martins are very regular visitors and this year I'm determined to try to get a really good 'swoop' photo as the hunt for insects. I just need a bright day and plenty of time!

  10. Wulpen

    19 Oct 2012

    Lovely to see the house martins and there are on the start for nesting lovely…:up:

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