local things

When I was driving around at work on Friday and Saturday I got the impression that quite a few Swallows were on the move. I saw one flock of 50+ birds packed together in what looked like an unusually tight and dense formation. Maybe some flying response to the intense deluges? Re Chiffchaffs singing in September (Ian Harrison). I've no idea how common it is, but one was singing clearly, though briefly, in my garden this morning when I woke up.