SWALLOWS preparing to leave - Mon 12th Sep

In the last few days groups of Swallow have been mustering around the patch prior to their departure southwards. This little flock decided to settle in the early morning sun on telephone wires:

I also came across a group of 20+ Swallow in trees down by the river the other day. 2 were youngsters not long fledged who had been feeding in the valley with adults but were now quietly perched and resting in the warm afternoon sun. The adult and more mature birds gathered nearby perching for a while, flying off and then returning to the same tree in which the youngsters were resting. Amazing to think that so soon after leaving the nest, these young Swallow would be strong enough to join the adults on their long journey south to their wintering grounds.