It's wilder than you might think.

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As members of the National Trust for Scotland Dumfries and Galloway Countryside Team, we manage properties across Dumfries and Galloway, including Threave Estate and Nature Reserve; Rockcliffe Property; Venniehill; The Murray's Isles and Bruce's Stone. Our task is to conserve and maintain the variety of habitats and species present, at the same time managing the sites for the education and enjoyment of current and future generations.

04 August 2014

Swifts, Swallows and Martin's! Which is which???

I keep getting asked the difference between a Swift, Swallow and a Martin. So here are my top tips to tell the difference between these fast flying summer migrants.
 
Swifts are large, jet black and are always very high in the sky. Often screaming away.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/swift010504IoM_tcm9-62136.jpg?width=768&height=432&crop=auto
 
Swallows have streamers from their tails (the males are slightly longer). They also have a red bib. They build their nests as open top ‘shelves’.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/swallow_tcm9-18469.jpg?width=530&crop=(44,262,948,770)
 
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/07_03/dtlswallowDM3007_468x332.jpg
 
Whereas House Martins build their nests right up to the ceiling, leaving just a small hole in which to get in. The main distinguishing features in flight is the wedge shaped tail and white rump.
https://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/houma_tcm9-16747.jpg?width=530&crop=(52,492,1892,1528)
http://www.goldensites.ru/media/1/20090819-b_891.jpg
 
Sand Martins on the other hand have a yellowy, dusky belly and are dark on top. They are of similar size and shape to a house martin but dirtier with no white rump! They nest solely in sandbanks, hence the name.
https://friendsofparkinsonspark.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/sand_martin_470x300.jpg

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