The YOC need YOUR help

In the new issue of the magazine Bird Life they ask that you let them know when you see your first Swallow of the summer. This will enable them to find out exactly when they first arrive and how quickly they spread through the UK. Then if they repeat this in future years they can see if any changes are happening.

Between Friday 13th March and Friday 1st May
you can ring the YOC on the SPECIAL HOTLINE
with you Swallow details.

0870 6010215

There will be someone by the 'phone between 8.30 am and 6.30 pm on week days, with an answerphone at other times. Calls are charged at the national call rate (6.73p per minute during the day and 3.55p per minute after 6pm.)
Don't forget to ask permission from whoever pays the 'phone bill.

You can also send you details by post to:

Follow the Swallow
YOC
The Lodge
Sandy
Bedfordshire.
SG 19 2DL

Or E-Mail them on

yoc@rspb.org.uk

There will be a free FARMLAND BIRDS POSTER for every caller.

Other items of interest in the March/April issue of BIRD LIFE are:

• Get out, Now! The best way to watch wildlife in woods and what you are likely to see at this time of year.
• The Real Easter Bunny, an article on Hares.
• What's Singing? What birds you're likely to hear at this time of year and a bit of help to recognise them.
• Reserved for Wildlife, a page about Ynys-hir reserve. (Free admission to YOC members!).
• Life in the Desert, the wildlife of the deserts of North America.
• It's spring...or is it? What to look out for in South Devon and on Shetland. A double page colour poster of a Cuckoo.
• Down among the Eiders, Liz Dorling on her favourite bird the Eider. News 'n Letters.
• Peewit's Progress an article on the Lapwing, on of the species of farmland birds that is in decline.
• Plus Quizzes and competitions, Rook, cartoon strip and Biodiversity, about the Great Crested Newt.

ID Tips

SWALLOWS: have long pointed wings (12cm long) and a tail with a long fork. They are white underneath and bluey-black everywhere else. They also have a red neck but this can be difficult to see.

HOUSE MARTIN: has a shorter, straighter tail and a very noticeable white rump.

SAND MARTIN: is similar to the House Martin but without the white rump.

SWIFT: larger, all black and shaped like a coat hanger. These birds never perch.

Swallow Facts

Our Swallows come from South Africa 10,000 miles away - amazing for a bird that weighs 20g. They start to arrive in April. Watch for them flying low and feeding on insects or perching on telephone wires and roof tops.

Swallow numbers may have fallen throughout Europe. Pesticides and the draining of wet areas have killed off many insects that Swallows eat. There are fewer places for them to nest in modern farm buildings. They also have many problems on their migration routes and maybe in their winter quarters.