THE number of swallows is now dwindling by the day as lower temperatures reduce their insect food and prompt them to move off in the first stages of migration to wintering areas in South Africa.

During a couple of outings on the coast this movement was evident with small, loose groups skimming low along the dunes and fields, all of them heading southwards. Right through the season I’ve been asked the same question by a lot of folk: “What’s happened to our swallows this year?”

The answer is fairly simply. Far few than usual made it back to Britain in the spring. Many appear to have perished en route, particularly in the Sahara, the greatest physical barrier they have to overcome. Unfortunately, their peak migration across the desert coincides with huge sandstorms. These were so severe that their winds carried sand across the Mediterranean and into Europe and even as far as southern Russia where the snow of ski resorts were left with an orange tinge.

In my own study area where I’ve been monitoring and ringing swallows for 16 years, the number of breeding pairs was down by a third. That seems to have been the general pattern right across the country, prompting concern from many people who were either without their usual breeding pairs or who noticed that numbers locally were well down.

However, although numbers were reduced those which did breed seem to have had a very successful season, many pairs successfully fledged two broods. They were aided greatly by the long hot and settled summer weather which produced an abundance of flying insects. It was in sharp contrast to 2017 where many broods perished in a cold snap of northerly weather in late June.

Swallows are very resilient little creatures and their populations tend to fluctuate, depending largely on the hazards they face on migration. Let’s hope most of those now leaving us for an epic journey of around 10,000 miles make it safely to return next spring.

The strong westerly winds have continued to slow the arrival of northern and eastern migrants but have stirred up the North Sea to the delight of sea-watchers. Manx and sooty shearwaters have appeared along with a few long-tailed and pomarine skuas. What was either a sooty or a bridled tern flew northwards past Whitburn.

Other highlights involved three common cranes over Saltholme, pectoral sandpipers at Scorton and Whittle Dene and rosefinches at Flamborough, Spurn and Holy Island. Another sign of the onrush of autumn was a snow bunting and jack snipe at Whitburn.