Young swallow left behind :( (1 Viewer)

[Teej]

We seemed to have a lot more swallows nesting this year in our stables and I noticed at least 2 broods each. I have a feeling the latest brood was the third in one particular nest.

It was some time between Monday and Tuesday that our swallows left which always makes me sad for the journey they have ahead and whether we will be honoured enough to have them back with us next year. On Tuesday night, I noticed a young swallow had come back and was perched near it's nest in the stable. I see him during the day flying all over the sky on his own and each night he comes back in to safety. I'm really concerned about his wellbeing when it starts to get much colder and the insects disappear. Wish I knew why he was left behind, perhaps he was too young to keep up. My husband seems to think that instinct will make him had south but I can't imagine that he would fly off anywhere alone. I'm hoping that birds are still migrating south from up north and he will join them....... is that likely to happen? What if he stays? What can I do to help him survive?

 

[Lamp64]

Hello Teej, your swallow will still be fattening up for its journey south, It's probably only a couple of days away from setting off itself. There are still plenty of other swallows for it to tag along with so I would just leave it to do its own thing and hopefully everything will be ok

 

[Teej]

Thank you for your reply Lamp64. I was thrilled to see this morning that he was joined by several other swallows & there appeared to be a number of young ones learning to fly so could be a new brood from another barn. In the meantime he's getting stronger and also very clever to keep returning to his nesting area at night where he's safe and warm.

That makes me feel more positive that he will be up to migrating soon with other swallows.

 

[kennethwfd]

From just down the road in the New Forest, I usually see swallows into early October, they use Hurst spit to fly over the Isle of Wight and the channel. So I expect your late one will be one of these

 

[wildlifelove]

I thought the same thing today about them
Being left behinde...Today I saw a single swallow on its own in the field..made me think, did his mates leave him behind? I'm
Sure he will find his way home..

 

[Cheshire Birder]

Although its quite late for Swallows to have just fledged, I know of records where young are still being fed in the nest into October. I'm sure your bird will soon be heading south.

CB

 

[Ronnietwosheds]

We seemed to have a lot more swallows nesting this year in our stables and I noticed at least 2 broods each. I have a feeling the latest brood was the third in one particular nest.

It was some time between Monday and Tuesday that our swallows left which always makes me sad for the journey they have ahead and whether we will be honoured enough to have them back with us next year. On Tuesday night, I noticed a young swallow had come back and was perched near it's nest in the stable. I see him during the day flying all over the sky on his own and each night he comes back in to safety. I'm really concerned about his wellbeing when it starts to get much colder and the insects disappear. Wish I knew why he was left behind, perhaps he was too young to keep up. My husband seems to think that instinct will make him had south but I can't imagine that he would fly off anywhere alone. I'm hoping that birds are still migrating south from up north and he will join them....... is that likely to happen? What if he stays? What can I do to help him survive?

 

[Ronnietwosheds]

We seemed to have a lot more swallows nesting this year in our stables and I noticed at least 2 broods each. I have a feeling the latest brood was the third in one particular nest.

It was some time between Monday and Tuesday that our swallows left which always makes me sad for the journey they have ahead and whether we will be honoured enough to have them back with us next year. On Tuesday night, I noticed a young swallow had come back and was perched near it's nest in the stable. I see him during the day flying all over the sky on his own and each night he comes back in to safety. I'm really concerned about his wellbeing when it starts to get much colder and the insects disappear. Wish I knew why he was left behind, perhaps he was too young to keep up. My husband seems to think that instinct will make him had south but I can't imagine that he would fly off anywhere alone. I'm hoping that birds are still migrating south from up north and he will join them....... is that likely to happen? What if he stays? What can I do to help him survive?

Cornwall: Ours left Monday and I saw a straggler still alone here on Wednesday. Just joined this forum to ask same questions!

 

[delia todd]

Hi Ronnie and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators.

Species like Swallows hang around the coast then join up with flock coming down from the north. When the weather/wind is right they'll set off across the Channel. There's usually many Swallows around until well into October, so I think you can be easy regarding his welfare.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.

 

[Richard D]

Locally we're getting small flocks over the local sewage works feeding up pre-migration. Some Swallows have left, but there's still quite a few around.

 

[Andy Lakin]

They seem to be pretty tough a lot seem to come back in spring when.the weather is horrible and manage O.K. It must be tough at the minute with all the rain at the minute, but they seem to catch up feeding between showers.

 

[wickey farmer]

What can you do to help them over the winter if they don't join the migration.. feel so awful this one is on it's own in the feed room. what can you feed them if its cold and no insects?

 

[Scozmos]

I've been wondering when they go, after seeing those young still being fed on Sunday

 

[Talster]

We seemed to have a lot more swallows nesting this year in our stables and I noticed at least 2 broods each. I have a feeling the latest brood was the third in one particular nest.

It was some time between Monday and Tuesday that our swallows left which always makes me sad for the journey they have ahead and whether we will be honoured enough to have them back with us next year. On Tuesday night, I noticed a young swallow had come back and was perched near it's nest in the stable. I see him during the day flying all over the sky on his own and each night he comes back in to safety. I'm really concerned about his wellbeing when it starts to get much colder and the insects disappear. Wish I knew why he was left behind, perhaps he was too young to keep up. My husband seems to think that instinct will make him had south but I can't imagine that he would fly off anywhere alone. I'm hoping that birds are still migrating south from up north and he will join them....... is that likely to happen? What if he stays? What can I do to help him survive?

I live in Cumbria (around 40 miles south of the Scottish border). I saw quite a lot of Swallows, House Martins, Sand Martins at the weekend, but a lot less than a couple of weeks ago. I suspected the ones I was seeing last weekend were this year's young and were still feeding up to get them in the condition they need to be in for the migration.

I have read that some do stay in the UK for the Winter and survive, so I wouldn't worry too much if it does not migrate.

 

[Halith swallows]

I have one swallow left in my stables too, there is no sign of any other swallows, they have all been really busy flying around and have now all gone! How can I help this litttle one survive the winter?

 

[wildwoollas]

I have one swallow left in my stables too, there is no sign of any other swallows, they have all been really busy flying around and have now all gone! How can I help this litttle one survive the winter?

Hi there is your swallow still there? I also have one here on 2nd October 24. I have to close the garage every night and keep it in, then open it again in the morning ( been doing this all summer for all of them ). But soon the garage must remain closed. Kind of hoping he/she heads off. There were two here a couple of days ago, but now only one. Just wondered whether yours have left yet?