Ake, Near to where I live at the gable end of a street the House Martins returned last Sunday, they were busy repairing their old nest which were neatly tucked in under the gables at opposit ends.

I would have to say the Swallows, Swifts and House Martins are my favourites, when you consider the hardships they endure on there long flight from Africa, and returning to their old nesting sites, amazing navigation skill from these heralds of summer.

I am lucky to be so close to the countryside, quite a variety of birds to be seen, but, unfortunately the match of progress is eating into the rural areas and in comparsion to my youth bird numbers have drastically reduced, the population of all of Ireland is estimated to reach 7 million in the next 20 years, that is almost double in the last 80 years, by then we may have to go to our Museums to view our feathered friends,-- in a glass case.

Thanks fot your location Ake and Ferrara.