Farm Life - wild holiday guests

Farm Life - wild holiday guests

by Roger Hill

We are now into peak holiday season. B&Bs, campsites and hotels are bursting at the seams. Our own guests are renting one of our barns, but there is no charge! We assume they belong to the same family that have returned in April for many years.

‘Hirundo rustica’ are their name, more commonly known as swallows. They are remarkable birds spending most of their time on the wing. Breeding in the Northern Hemisphere and migrating south in winter. Most British swallows fly to South Africa covering 200 miles a day at speeds of 17-22 mph. It is a hazardous journey with many perishing en route, so we are always glad to see their springtime return.

An influx of human visitors is fantastic for the Devon economy, but it clashes with the peak harvest season. Our narrow roads are invariably a meeting place for both parties so patience on both sides is required!

Added to the scene are numerous events such as our recent village tractor run with 53 tractors raising a huge sum for Devon Air Ambulance. We hope to have some days out in August including the North Devon Show (advert page 12), but probably not on a tractor this time. ‘Til next time, Roger #TuppertheTractor (website: quoit-at-cross.co.uk)

Our returning holiday guests, a family of swallows