Swallow on a mission

It’s mud-hut-building time for the Swallows of Westray.

Whether it’s a new nest or urgent repairs to an old one, the Swallows are busy building.

Here’s one with a beak full of straw and mud.

I’ve been watching them land enthusiastically on a dung heap time after time, so maybe it’s not actually mud it’s carrying in its beak. Whatever it is, it doesn’t half stick to a wall well.