Swallow? Dorset Coast (1 Viewer)

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bluesinlondon

Well-known member

• Apr 4, 2009

• #1

Hi All,

So, walking along the Purbeck coast, more or less at Dancing Ledge and saw a large (at least twice as big as a Sand Martin), swift/swallow/martin shaped bird. Continuous flying around cliff area, swooping low, twisting turning etc (as if feeding). Seen middayish in bright clear sunshine. Upperparts all dark - almost black, with no variation on rump. Front, light with reddish/orange tinge. No neck band. Tail long - much more Swallow than Martin...

Any ideas what this might be? Doesn't seem to match anything in my books, but I'm fairly new to all this.

Any help gratefully recived.

Thanks.

 

joshjenkinsshaw

Kent Birder

• Apr 4, 2009

• #2

Sounds like Swallow and they are arriving in large numbers now.

 

shrikebirder

Well-known member

• Apr 4, 2009

• #3

Yes, swallow.

 

M

MichavdB

Well-known member

• Apr 4, 2009

• #4

The reddish color on the breast would point towards a barn swallow.

 

ashrich

Registered , should be certified .......

• Apr 5, 2009

• #5

They have made it to the middle of England , 3 over Cookham ( Odney Common ) this afternoon !

Ashley

 

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bluesinlondon

Well-known member

• Apr 6, 2009

• #6

Thanks everybody... Have had a good look at as many pics as I can find on the web and it does seem as if Barn Swallow fits what I saw... How likely is this - aren't they pretty rare?

 

liverpool_bob

scarce migrant to yorkshire

• Apr 6, 2009

• #7

bluesinlondon said:

Thanks everybody... Have had a good look at as many pics as I can find on the web and it does seem as if Barn Swallow fits what I saw... How likely is this - aren't they pretty rare?

Click to expand...

It's the proper name for 'our' Swallow, one of the commonest UK visitors: Birdtrack

 

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bluesinlondon

Well-known member

• Apr 6, 2009

• #8

Ah... I see now. Thanks very much!