SEVERAL swallows have already been seen in southern England — the first of the year. They have probably come up from South Africa, and with the mild winter we have been experiencing, have accelerated the last stage of their journey. Two that were seen in Pembrokeshire appear to have stayed here since the autumn. However, the main body of swallows will not be here until well into April. Another summer visitor that has already been recorded a couple of times is the turtle dove. Most of these will not arrive and start singing their purring song before May.
A kittiwake has been flying about over Blithfield Reservoir in Staffordshire — a long way inland for this seabird. Doubtless it was blown in from the sea by the strong winds. Kittiwakes are small white gulls with a dark but gentle-looking eye, and black legs. Their tail is slightly forked. They normally spend the winter far out in the Atlantic, feeding on herrings, and will also pick up food left by ships crossing the ocean. About half a million pairs come back in April to nest on cliffs around most of the British coast. They sometimes nest on seaside buildings.
DJM