Lucky you having so many Martins in your garden. It is that time of year when they gather up to migrate. The Martins that nest up the street from where I live have already migrated. Isn’t it a joyful noise to hear when they are communicating!
What a sight! I love the Martins. I am seeing more this year, which is great as there have been less in the past few years. We have had no Martins nesting in the house or garage for years, perhaps next year? Amelia
They were already here when we bought the house and seem to have multiplied extremely well over the past two years! When they arrive in spring they all try and squeeze into last year’s nests (often one or two come down in the winter months) and need a week or two to gather themselves and start building new nests. I do hope you get some more next year. They are wonderful companions through the summer!
Are martins the birds that that chase off other birds that eat the grapes in vineyard (or fruit in orchards)? I remember Italian cypress around vineyards. They were there for birds to nest in, but did not shade the vineyard much at all. The birds who lived there supposedly repelled the birds that wanted the grapes. I thought they were martins, but I really do not remember their name. There were also martin houses, but I do not remember if they were around for the same reason.
No, that is definitely not house martins, but I couldn’t tell you what bird you are thinking of. House martins always nest under the eaves of buildings such as big houses, barns etc. They eat insects on the flight and watching them dart and swoop low is simply fascinating. They also chatter in flight and when in the nests. They have started lining up and preparing for their long flight to Africa for winter. In a couple of weeks they will be gone and we shall miss them!
Oh, like swallows! There are some (swallows) here. Swallows are nice because they stay out just as the sun is going down, to eat some of the mosquitoes before the bats come out. However, because they eat insects, they do not protect fruit.
Lol, if I said a number would you be able to confirm (or deny) it???? Fantastic, how lucky you are. Your plot looks good, especially those well-staked young trees.
Well, I counted 70 on the last photo, but surely that’s a bit too many for eleven nests! Maybe the neighbouring farm has some too and they had a family reunion! 😉
That’s amazing! They must love all the open land with a conveniently located house in the middle to nest on. How nice of you lol
We have a few swallows but they’re less common as the brush and trees grow up and replace the grass behind our house. New things move in though.
That’s awesome, Cathy, they definitely seem very happy and who wouldn’t be seeing that the place is practically deserted. Your garden (I assume it’s at the new place) looks more like a park and it’s great to have such a blank canvas to paint on – I understand your excitement 🙂 . Is this in a National Park or something? There aren’t many empty spaces left like this in Germany (or elsewhere for that matter), enjoy it. xx
Hi Annette. The ‘garden’ is enormous… it was ploughed fields when we bought the place and we decided to sow grass/wild flowers first and see how it all comes together. 😃 I am so far only cultivating a few beds near the house, but we want a vegetable plot soon too. We are hidden away from the world here which suits me fine the way things are right now! 😉
That is a lot of martins. They must bring such joy when they are flitting around like that and to know they have made your home, theirs too.
Oh they do! It is such a wonderful sight when they all fly and swoop over the yard!
Lucky you having so many Martins in your garden. It is that time of year when they gather up to migrate. The Martins that nest up the street from where I live have already migrated. Isn’t it a joyful noise to hear when they are communicating!
In the evenings they all snuggle up in the nests and chatter to each other! It will be a sad day when they leave. But they will be back! 😃
Oh, I am so envious! You must have the perfect environment for them. I love all birds of the swallow family – their acrobatic flight mesmerizes.
It is wonderful having them live with us during the summer months and seeing the first few return in spring always makes my heart jump! 😃
What a fabulous sight Cathy!
It is Anna, and we are so lucky to have them here! 😃
Don’t you love our feathered friends ❤
Absolutely! 😉
What a sight! I love the Martins. I am seeing more this year, which is great as there have been less in the past few years. We have had no Martins nesting in the house or garage for years, perhaps next year? Amelia
They were already here when we bought the house and seem to have multiplied extremely well over the past two years! When they arrive in spring they all try and squeeze into last year’s nests (often one or two come down in the winter months) and need a week or two to gather themselves and start building new nests. I do hope you get some more next year. They are wonderful companions through the summer!
Are martins the birds that that chase off other birds that eat the grapes in vineyard (or fruit in orchards)? I remember Italian cypress around vineyards. They were there for birds to nest in, but did not shade the vineyard much at all. The birds who lived there supposedly repelled the birds that wanted the grapes. I thought they were martins, but I really do not remember their name. There were also martin houses, but I do not remember if they were around for the same reason.
No, that is definitely not house martins, but I couldn’t tell you what bird you are thinking of. House martins always nest under the eaves of buildings such as big houses, barns etc. They eat insects on the flight and watching them dart and swoop low is simply fascinating. They also chatter in flight and when in the nests. They have started lining up and preparing for their long flight to Africa for winter. In a couple of weeks they will be gone and we shall miss them!
Oh, like swallows! There are some (swallows) here. Swallows are nice because they stay out just as the sun is going down, to eat some of the mosquitoes before the bats come out. However, because they eat insects, they do not protect fruit.
Exactly, like swallows. 😃
Lol, if I said a number would you be able to confirm (or deny) it???? Fantastic, how lucky you are. Your plot looks good, especially those well-staked young trees.
Well, I counted 70 on the last photo, but surely that’s a bit too many for eleven nests! Maybe the neighbouring farm has some too and they had a family reunion! 😉
That’s amazing! They must love all the open land with a conveniently located house in the middle to nest on. How nice of you lol
We have a few swallows but they’re less common as the brush and trees grow up and replace the grass behind our house. New things move in though.
With few trees near the house we don’t have a wide variety of birds visiting the garden, but the house martins have more then made up for that!
What a glorious sight. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
I also loved seeing the sweep of your garden – a fabulous place to live and garden.
Glad you enjoyed the video! They are preparing to fly south and will be off within the next week I think. It will be so quiet without them….
That’s awesome, Cathy, they definitely seem very happy and who wouldn’t be seeing that the place is practically deserted. Your garden (I assume it’s at the new place) looks more like a park and it’s great to have such a blank canvas to paint on – I understand your excitement 🙂 . Is this in a National Park or something? There aren’t many empty spaces left like this in Germany (or elsewhere for that matter), enjoy it. xx
Hi Annette. The ‘garden’ is enormous… it was ploughed fields when we bought the place and we decided to sow grass/wild flowers first and see how it all comes together. 😃 I am so far only cultivating a few beds near the house, but we want a vegetable plot soon too. We are hidden away from the world here which suits me fine the way things are right now! 😉
I believe that! 😉