Swallows.

[Khandro]

Any arrived yet ? They are due here, but no sightings yet.

[Barmaid]

Yes, we started seeing them here last week.  Those and house martins.

[Khandro]

Ireland isn't it? Here they (h.martins) are usually here  within the last 10 days of the month, but last year they were the latest since I kept records at May 10th. 

[Rosetta]

House martins for last two or three weeks but no swallows as yet. We rarely see swifts. It was a rare treat to see a lot of them (sorry dont know the collective term) over the roof tops in Lisbon a few years ago. As you can tell the sight has stuck with me. Calmck sees swifts regularly where she is in Portugal.

Is it my imagination or are there less of these beautiful birds

[brainiac]

Saw a swallow two days ago, but it's too early for swifts - usually a few days into May.

[Khandro]

Rosetta; That would figure because the migratory route is from Africa into Spain via Morocco, then from Spain to western France before reaching Great Britain.

I once watched them crossing the Straits of Gibraltar at Tarifa, - wonderful sight.  

[Khandro]

Spotted just one house martin this morning flying into one of the nests of my neighbour who has four nests under his eaves, - I have eight nests under mine so I'm waiting for the followers; great start to May!