For many of us, the return of migrating birds heralds the start of summer, so it’s always heartening to see swooping barn swallows appear again above our heads. Barn swallowWe often mistake barn swallows for house martins, but the key is in their names. ‘Barn’ swallows nest in open barns or outhouses, while ‘house’ martins build their mud nests on the gables of houses. CuckooThe cuckoo has long been held as a sign of summer, giving its name to other summer species such as cuckoo flower, cuckoo-pint or even cuckoo spit. In the coming weeks, why not get involved in tracking these amazing birds as they journey back to Ireland?

Source: Irish Examiner April 19, 2022 23:31 UTC