Swallows at Number 7

The residents of No7 welcomed the arrival of summer after the long wet and windy winter and spring. On the wildlife front, summer heralds visitors on the wing from far and wide, throughout the UK, many thousands of different bird species arrive on our shores from distant places such as South Africa, having once again faced the perils of their massive migration route including the Sahara Desert; we at Sunderland Point are lucky to greet a reasonably high level of Swallows and House Martins, some of which choose to nest within our properties.

The House Martins building under the rainwater gutters, the Swallows in sheds, garages and out houses. Over the years at No.7, we have experienced attempts made by Swallows to build their mud pellet nests within the area near the back door, all the time ending in failure.

However, this year they made a successful attempt building on a piece of wood attached to a wooden beam with a hook attached to hold a side door open, seeing what was taking place we registered said door was not to be used and monitored progress. On completion of nest building mum Swallow laid 4 eggs all of which successfully hatched. Mum and dad Swallows then take part in one of their busiest times of year catching insects for four hungry mouths continuously from dawn until dusk.

The parent birds were fantastic and reared all four chicks until they eventually fledged, feeding then continued even when the young were perched precariously on telephone wires and window ledges.

 Eventually, they will all go their separate ways, and come September through October the great migration starts again. Spare a thought for those little bundles of feathers hatched from the smallest of eggs outside our back door making their way for the first time – some undertaking the journey on their own - to winter in South Africa. Just marvel at the achievement. Next year we hope to welcome the parents back to this same nest site.