Huge numbers of swifts and house martins high in the sky over Bathpool this afternoon, all drifting in a southerly direction, and being followed, at a lower level, by two peregrines.Also several buzzards circling overhead, and a raven, high in the sky circling and tumbling.
I noticed quite a number of swallows sat on the wires here, which run E-W.
They were all facing south. I wonder whether this generally the case as autumn approaches or whether it's a case of chance or other factors.
Observations please or can you tell me, Bill? One web reference suggests so.
Hi Pete, I suspect that the answer to your question may be that birds don't like turning their backs to the prevailing wind ............ I have, however, noticed that birds such as woodpigeons, make a habit of perching high up in trees early in the morning, and turning their backs to the rising sun, with the feathers on their backs fluffed up, in order to absorb the early morning sunshine. The way that birds perch at various times of the day is quite fascinating.
