Swallows have arrived in Britain. But don't even think about summer
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.More than 2,000 years ago, Aristotle observed: "One swallow does not make spring, nor does one fine day." Nevertheless, one could be forgiven for thinking the season was upon us.
Unprecedented numbers of swallows have been spotted across southern England - more than six weeks ahead of their normal arrival time.
It is thought the current erratic weather patterns are responsible for the early appearances, which were recorded in areas including Somerset and the Isles of Scilly. Ironically, the sightings coincided with temperatures falling nationally as cold winds swept in from the Arctic.
Graham Madge of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds saidthe birds' arrival was brought on by mild air from the south-west a few days earlier.
Mr Madge said yesterday: "Normally it's April before most people see their first swallow or house martin. Even sightings in late March are unusual and normally house martins migrating from tropical Africa do not appear even in southern Spain until late February. These birds must have been in the vanguard of the early spring movement.
"Early migrants inevitably gamble with their lives and this is particularly so with swallows and house martins. Because of the current cold weather, these birds are clearly going to struggle to survive."
He added that the appearance heralded more change, saying: "We have long been warned that weather extremes would be a feature of ... climate change. It certainly seems to be turning out that way"
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments