Over the next three weeks about 80% of our Hampshire swallows will leave the country to make the dangerous journey back to South Africa. Many of the birds we see over our houses during September will be young birds migrating for the first time. As soon as the female is confident of the youngsters fending for themselves, she too will migrate, leaving the young birds behind. Not all young swallow will get as far as Africa, maybe 1 in 6 will be killed before leaving Europe. Look up at our Hampshire swallows and give them a clap as they leave their nests and make their way south.

Source: The North Africa Journal September 11, 2020 04:18 UTC