Swallows- Where are they coming from? 30/9/13

Over the past few weeks migration for swallows has been extremely good with 510 being our peak on Saturday 28th. Just down the road from Berkeley is Sharpness and over the same period of time they have recorded no fewer than 1000+ per day with some being lower compared to a few which have been higher. I think they are migrating over from Wales and because Sharpness docks is on our closest points where the River Severn's at it's most tightest I think they're flying over at this point. The reason I believe this is that when they come over there was a North Easterly wind .This would be pushing all the swallows more South towards Berkeley and this is why I believe we've had such high numbers of migrating swallows because the wind has pushed them a across the Severn and down a little to Berkeley where I'm seeing them. Berkeley has a by- pass for cars travelling from the docks and past Berkeley and this road is being used as a guide for most swallows as in the mornings I've seen at least 25 in about 2 minutes there where I think they're coming across and heading in a straightish line along the by- pass. Due to the wind they would be pushed closer to Berkeley and this backs up my point that the reason I've seen so many swallows is because they're being blown across the land from Sharpness to Berkeley and right over my house.

Garden sightings

• 5+ house martins feeding briefly before flying East

Other interesting sightings in the area 

• Yellow browed warbler at Chipping Sodbury in the middle of Quarry Lane in trees by the bridge.