In my 5 fishing trips since mid-March, on a reservoir and 2 small stillwaters across Somerset, Wiltshire and Hamshire, I have not seen one martin or swallow. It's April 18, the weather's been mild, and there have been mainly Southerly airflows across southern England. What's happening ?

I really like seeing these little birds, first because they are a real sign of spring, and second because if they are repeatedly hawking the water surface it's a clue that we'll have some good buzzer fishing.

Anyone seen any swallows or martins in 2011 ? What's going on ?

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"In wine there is wisdom. In beer there is strength. In water there is bacteria." - German proverb
JH based near Southampton

No clue as to whats going on,but i haven't seen any in my part of the world so far this yr.I'm in Lincolnshire by the the way

Neil

Spoke too soon,just took the dogs out and saw a couple of martins sat on some telegraph wire

Plenty over the water at my regular near Preston. Been there at least 2 weeks, maybe more. Saw my first one over Stocks 3 or 4 weeks ago.

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"Take not out your 'ounds on a werry windy day" Surtees.

Martins appeared in N Ireland on 19th March, the earliest I've seen them here for years

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Game fish are too valuable to be caught only once - Lee Wulff

Plenty of martins here (north Glasgow) from about 10 days ago. No swallows though.

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It is in truth not glory,nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting,but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with his life.(Declaration of Arbroath, 1320)

Saw a handful last weekend on the Lyne near Carlisle, but normally around here it's late April early May. They're due.

Sand martins arrived 26th march house martins 5 days later.swallows arrived.9th April..Saw my 1st willow warbler yesterday 17th april.

Jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

I was trying to get some Martin pics this weekend at a new nest site I found, they look to be feeding young so they must have been there a while. I saw some swallows at my local loch a couple of weeks ago.

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Don't worry, be happy.
Sandy
Carried it in full, then carry it out empty.

Saw some sandies and swallows over the water up the Trossachs on Saturday.

Loads of them here - saw my first swallows and housemartins late March beside the Clyde at Lamington and the Sandmartins shortly after.