Flying close to the wind

HERE in Langside, we saw the most swallows and house martins some 15 years ago—probably 40 or 50 pairs. Since then, there has been a gradual decline— last year, there were about six and, this year, only two or three (Country Mouse and Letters, June 7). The link between dropping swallow numbers and the increase in onshore wind turbines seems clear, especially as the heat generated attracts the insects upon which the swallows feed.

Our own 11Kw wind turbine regularly killed or maimed seagulls and other large birds—one particular incident has seriously damaged the blade and we will not be restarting it. How awful that we pursue an unreliable renewableenergy policy to the detriment of one of the icons of the British summer. Alastair Macmillan, Renfrewshire

INOTED with interest the letter from Dr Arthur E. Smith and I am delighted to confirm that swallows have not departed our shores, but merely moved to the warmer, sunnier climes of Norfolk—they are here in abundance. Can you blame them? Helen Robinson, Norfolk