Every year swallows nest in the garage. This year they have raised two broods, a four and a five. They arrive, usually in April, raise their young, feeding on the millions of insects we have in the trees bushes and fields, and now it is time for them to leave.

Our swallows will now migrate to S Africa for the winter. Flying at speeds of about 30mph they will not stop, sleeping and feeding on the wing, until they reach their winter home. These fabulous, sociable little birds return to the same nesting sites each year. We have got to know one pair quite well and very much look forward to seeing them again early next summer.