FINAL FAREWELL FROM THE SWALLOWS?

The lowest weather pressure system seen in Britain in September for over 30 years has brought chaos to many parts of the UK, particularly northern England.

Major flooding affected the roads and countryside around my home and garden, at one point making the house impossible to get to.

After three days of rain, torrential at times, the garden resembled a sodden marsh, even the snails and slugs seemed to be disturbed by the weather.

One thing I didn’t expect to see was what greeted me earlier this week. Below is an image of about 25 swallows swooping over a partially flooded field, chattering away in excitement to each other as they chased insects for breakfast. (see below)

 

I did notice that many were youngsters with their tail feathers not quite as long as the adults, so presume they were either a late brood or had been delayed by the recent storm system.

Whatever their reason is was a wonderful sight and I hope they all make it to the warmer climes of Africa and some slightly less damp conditions.

I was then immediately brought back down to earth as I faced another tricky day of negotiating the flooded lane that leads to our house.

 

Part of the lane was turned into a river as the small stream that normally sits alongside it spilled over as it failed to cope with the rainfall, eventually creating a river by using the lane as a path to travel along.

 

The lane is now back to normal, apart from the huge amount of debris carried by the flood water, including branches, rocks, litter and mud.

I’m still not sure how wildlife has been affected close to me, though Cheshire Wildlife Trust did say they hoped the population of water voles had kept safe.

It goes to show even those who live in and around water are in danger when flooding occurs.

I suspect flying creatures like butterflies and moths have suffered, particularly the former as I’d seen plenty of them feeding only a few days previously.

But wildlife does have a habit of bouncing back from natural devastations so while the short term for many might not be good, I suspect long term many will use next year to reclaim any losses in 2012.

I’ll now be keeping an eye out for some more straggling swallows, but also for other wildlife to see what the storm has done.