News: June 2003

The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) report that many Swallows and House Martins will arrive late in Britain after being delayed by bad weather.

BTO observers in Africa report that many migrants were still to be found south of the Sahara in mid-May, long after they would normally have departed. Many Swallows and House Martins were already breeding in Britain by this time. The BTO suggest that the late arrivals will find it hard to breed successfully - with less time and, perhaps, fewer good nest sites available.

Country News. 2003. Migrating birds running late. Viewed on the web at http://www.daelnet.co.uk/countrynews/country_news_02062003.cfm on June 3rd 2003.