Swallow

This young swallow fledged yesterday.
Today she got confused by the windows at the back of the stables - on the right,

I picked her up as she flapped her wings against the glass, and took this one image before letting her fly off to join her family.

For the past several years we have had just one pair of swallows nesting, last year there were two successful pairs. This year has been exceptional, with four pairs nesting, and one pair producing two broods. In all we think twenty young have fledged, one sadly was found with a broken wing and had to be put to sleep.

It is an absolute joy to watch them all soaring and screaming on the wing, honing their flying skills and preparing for their journey to Africa for the winter.

Here is a blip of the first brood from june 18th.