yyattung

On 26 Dec 2007, a pair of Barn Swallow was seen in Mai Po Village and the one in full breeding plumage behaved to search over the nest used in last summer.

I remember that the first breeding was found around Chinese New Year last year.

Such early return is somewhat surprising me...

yyattung

A pair of Barn Swallow started singing at Mai Po village this afternoon.

yyattung

Finally, I notice the breeding Barn Swallows return to Mai Po Village on last Satursday (14 Feb).

It is quite late in this year, with comparing to the date of the previous two years.

[ Last edited by yyattung at 17/02/2009 17:38 ]

yyattung

Mai Po Village

A few Barn Swallows were seen in fishponds nearby but no sign to start building nest or singing so far.

But a pair of Red-rumped Swallow started singing yesterday.

yyattung

At least one pair of Barn Swallow starts nest building at Mai Po Village from yesterday.

yyattung

Swallow starts breeding soon?

A pair of Red-rumped Swallow was just seen at Mai Po Village and they seem looking for nesting place now.

But no breeding Barn Swallow has been seen at Mai Po Village yet. From the posts above, they could come back now but the persistent cold weather may delay of it. I will report it when they return!

[ Last edited by yyattung at 31/01/2011 12:21 ]

yyattung

I just make a summary of arrival of swallows at Mai Po Village as follows:

First date of breeding signs of Barn and Red-rumped Swallows

Barn Swallow
Winter 2006-07: around Chinese New Year, i.e 18 Feb 2007
Winter 2007-08: returned at 26 Dec 2007, singing at 16 Jan 2008
Winter 2008-09: returned at 14 Feb 2009
Winter 2009-10: returned (seen at fishponds nearby) and singing at 31 Jan 2010, started building nest on 9 Feb 2010
Winter 2010-11: no sign yet

Red-rumped Swallow
Winter 2006-07: ????
Winter 2007-08: return at 22 Nov 2007, second pair returned at ~15 Jan 2008
Winter 2008-09: ????
Winter 2009-10: singing at 30 Jan 2010
Winter 2010-11: returned at 31 Jan 2011

It would be nice to see some weather information with this observations. Could anyone help to find it out? I think simple information such as 'warm', 'exceptionally warm', 'cold', 'exceptionally cold', normal, would be good enough to let us to have some ideas. For example: I would say this winter - winter 2010-11 is exceptionally cold.

[ Last edited by yyattung at 1/02/2011 11:29 ]

yyattung

Barn Swallows have returned to Mai Po Village two days ago, 8 Feb 10. I also heard them singing this afternoon.

yyattung

On 27 Jan 2012 (last Friday), five Red-rumped and a couple of Barn Swallows were seen returning to Mai Po Village.

The Red-rumped Swallows 'might feel disappionted' because their nests built in last few years were demolished in last autumn. I hope they can build the new ones in the coming months.