Swallow rush

The village I live in is up on a hill and was sandwiched in cloud this morning after heavy overnight rain so I did not venture out until it had cleared, only to hear that the Bardsey Island Bird Observatory team had an incredible movement of 3500 Swallows passing north early morning! They were still streaming north and east mid-morning (with a handful of House' & Sand Martins) as I birded Porth Meudwy, and although numbers were not quite as high it was absolutely fantastic to witness these royal blue birds head off on their way to South Africa for the winter! Presumably the slight detour is related to a passing cold front.

A few migrants and residents were showing in and around the valley;  20 Goldfinch, Bullfinch, a single Spotted Flycatcher, at least 13 Blackcaps, 7 Chiffchaff and 3 Goldcrest while apart from the hirundines other birds overhead included several alba wagtails and a buzzing Tree Pipit.