The Kingston riverside swallows are enjoying a bumper breeding season.In addition to their traditional nesting site under Turks pier they are now spreading furthet downstream towards the Hogsmill,choosing buildings just away from the river to nest.
On a rainy afternoon recently,I watched what must be second brood youngsters being fed both in mid-air and perching on boats.
I'm always astonished to witness the 'in-flight refuelling'as both adult and young meet head on,beak to beak at speed for the exchange of food,seeming to kiss one another.The same feeding routine also occurs when perched and the act lasts for just a split second making photography extremely difficult.Trying to capture the exact moment when the fledglings receive the food is a matter of timing and luck so the accompanying image is the best of several attempts.
The young birds are already as skilful as their parents in flight and the way to tell them apart is to look at their tails.Th adult male sports long streamers whilst the female's are slightly shorter but the rather more dumpy young bird's tails are very short.
Although the young bird's plumage is comparatively dull,the adults too are now looking rather scruffy which is not surprising having brought up two broods with possibly a third on the way.
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