It is soon evaporated by the warmth of the sun's rays and often disappears by mid-morning. The swifts, which all summer have thrilled many of us with their speedy flight and acrobatic skills, have already flown south to Africa and a warmer climate. The swallows, which have also graced our skies, are now gathering in groups in readiness to fly south. Watch them as they feed up on insects, often flying just a few inches above the ground, taking prey as they skim over mead- ows or water. They are instantly recognisable with their deeply forked tails with long streamers.
House martins too, gather together prior to migration.
In flight the house martin can be distinguished from the swallow by its shorter tail and white rump. Look out for both species as they congregate in excitable groups settling on telegraph wires and television aerials. It is often the twittering sounds made by swallows which draws our attention to them. Though this was written almost 200 years ago, he obviously also witnessed the sight of the gathering swallows, a sight which for many of us is a real indication that autumn is upon us. Everywhere we look, dew-spangled cobwebs bedeck the countryside.