A steady stream of Martins

(c) Charles J Sharp, El Rocio, Spain [Wiki Commons]

Sheltering from the driving rain behind a Bakewell Slice in the cafe at the Wilton Garden Centre, I noticed a Martin of some sort fly over beneath the low clouds. Then another, and another.  As I watched, there was a steady stream of them heading north westwards up the Wylye Valley, presumably forced down by the low cloud and rain. Without bins I couldn't make out whether they were Sand or House Martins. I thought it likely that they would be Sand Martins.

On the way back I diverted to have a look at Fonthill Lake and sure enough there were scores of Martins there too, scooting around over the water, and against the backdrop of the surrounding trees I could see that they were Sand Martins, which generally are the first of the Hirundines to arrive, I think. I suppose they use the valleys are convenient routes to follow and the Lake a useful feeding stop on their migration to wherever it is they will be breeding.

In spite of the weather spring is on its way...

​Andrew Graham