Swallows swallowing

It was mid-afternoon on Anzac Day when I knew something was happening in my backyard

During the week I’d often observed a single damselfly patrolling the garden, but that afternoon there were around half a dozen.

Soon it was apparent there had been a hatching of some insect that birds like to feed on.


Dozens of birds from various species began circling and bombing, while occasionally pausing to rest on the washing-line.

Mostly dusky wood swallows and welcome swallows, but also a wattle bird I think (although maybe it was a honeyeater).

There was a flurry of flying activity for about 20 minutes in the sunshine, and then they disappeared.