Eurasian Nuthatch
Hirundo rustica

Barn Swallows are a familiar sight of the spring and summer months in Britain, after over-wintering in Africa. They are expert fliers and spend a lot of time on the wing hawking for insects. They build nests under the eaves of houses and other similar places out of mud and spit. This species can be found across Australasia, Asia, Europe, Africa and North America with varying plumage (some subspecies have red underparts). They are fairly small birds at 17-19 cm in length, of which 2-7 cm is tail feathers (longer in males than females).
 

1-2: Billericay, Essex, 20/05/2006.