Martins are feeling the C-c-c-old !

[Matra Man]

Just over a week ago, here in Hungary, the daily temperature was usually hovering around the 25 to 30 degree mark. Then, last Monday, the temperature dropped dramatically, accompanied by the first rain for several days, if not weeks.

Unfortunately, the House Martins (and presumably Swallows, too) were thoroughly enjoying the still-summery conditions, and decided to stay on in this area. Now, thy are in lots of trouble, as the sudden drop in temperature, accompanied by the wet weather, has meant a crash in the flying insect population.

A few days ago, Teréz and I witnessed some rather unusual behaviour : about 50 House Martins were flying low, to and fro, over a courtyard, and they kept landing on their unoccupied nests. It looked like they were trying to return - a bit like humans popping back into a warm bed on a cold morning.

A newspaper reported that thousands of birds throughout the country have been found on the ground, virtually helpless. Some people had been collecting them and warming them up inside their homes. Newspapers have been giving advice on what food to give them.

Now, it looks like the aircraft operator TunisAir is coming to the rescue by planning a charter mercy flight from Hungary to the African continent, subject to the permits being issued. We often hear of cheap, last-minute flights, but this must beat them all !

Bye for now, Colin

www.freewebs.com/matrawildlifetours/

[Matra Man]

Of course, this could now make things very difficult for the Maltese hunters (who, I believe, still continue to pop-off migrating birds, despite international condemnation).

If this trend of ferry-flights for birds continues, they'll need to invest in anti-aircraft guns !!!

[paul m]

Cheep flights, surely
Still, it's good to hear of an airline doing something beneficial.

QUOTE=Matra Man;4932]Just over a week ago, here in Hungary, the daily temperature was usually hovering around the 25 to 30 degree mark. Then, last Monday, the temperature dropped dramatically, accompanied by the first rain for several days, if not weeks.

Unfortunately, the House Martins (and presumably Swallows, too) were thoroughly enjoying the still-summery conditions, and decided to stay on in this area. Now, thy are in lots of trouble, as the sudden drop in temperature, accompanied by the wet weather, has meant a crash in the flying insect population.

A few days ago, Teréz and I witnessed some rather unusual behaviour : about 50 House Martins were flying low, to and fro, over a courtyard, and they kept landing on their unoccupied nests. It looked like they were trying to return - a bit like humans popping back into a warm bed on a cold morning.

A newspaper reported that thousands of birds throughout the country have been found on the ground, virtually helpless. Some people had been collecting them and warming them up inside their homes. Newspapers have been giving advice on what food to give them.

Now, it looks like the aircraft operator TunisAir is coming to the rescue by planning a charter mercy flight from Hungary to the African continent, subject to the permits being issued. We often hear of cheap, last-minute flights, but this must beat them all !

Bye for now, Colin

www.freewebs.com/matrawildlifetours/[/quote]