The first swallows of summer have already arrived in Ireland, according to BirdWatch Ireland, which this week launched a major web-based project to track migratory birds.
Niall Hatch, group development officer, yesterday encouraged as many members of the public as possible to take part in the project, known as "Spring Alive".
"We already have a number of reports of swallows arriving in the south. The first was from Co Kerry on March 27th, which is very early," he said.
"The idea is to get the public involved so they can learn about the wonders of bird migration, and this will also allow observers to contribute to science in a very important way while doing it.
"This is an international project, which also involves BirdLife International organisations across Europe," he added
"It will also give scientists more information on global warming and climate change, which seems to be happening as birds are arriving here earlier and also breeding earlier.
"There are no detailed records from the past other than, say, in The Irish Times, which used to carry a letter reporting the arrival of the first cuckoo or swallow."