Gilly Flower

. . . despite a forecast of -2 degrees tonight.

The swallows finally made their appearance today at around lunchtime. Well, one of them did anyway. It was swooping around the nest in the back porch when I arrived home from school this evening, presumably checking it out for suitability.

Still a definite and encouraging sign that warmer weather is on the way.

But as a small example of the reality of climate change it's interesting to note that the swallows have returned from over-wintering later than they ever have before. Previously we could guarantee their return on 25th August. Last year it was the 28th, and now this year, 2nd September.

An aberration, or the new reality?

Last year our pair raised one family only instead of the usual two. I learned later that they were not unusual in this. So it will be interesting to see what happens this year.

Time will tell.