Promise of Summer

The first swallows were back with us last Monday and are gradually building up in numbers as they return from their wintering grounds.  As always I heard the chatter before seeing the birds themselves.  What amazing little birds they are, to navigate all the way from Africa coming back to their summer homes each year.  Sadly there seem to be less of them than I remember as a child and I'm sure it isn't my memory playing tricks.  I suppose there are less suitable nest sites as old buildings have been repaired, demolished or reused and the access blocked.  I find it very sad that such an emblem of our summer is slowly dwindling away.  I don't think I would want to live in a world that doesn't include the chatter of swallows as they hawk for insects through the summer months and line up chattering on the wires before departing for the winter.  What a sad world it would be.