Читать книгу Nature’s Top 40: Britain’s Best Wildlife - Chris Packham - Страница 16

The swallow is surely one of Britain’s best-loved birds. After the depths of winter and the slow, cold wind-up to spring, the first swallow arriving back in Britain after its marathon journey from southern climes is a most welcome sight. The harbinger of summer was perhaps best summed up by the famous naturalist Gilbert White, who, in 1789, called swallows ‘inoffensive, harmless, entertaining, social and useful’.

Swallows and martins

WHEN

Mid-April to late October

WHERE

Mostly open locations with safe nest sites, and preferably open water, anywhere in rural Britain

Well-fed swallows preparing for departure to sunnier southern climes for the winter.