It's really great having roof windows. They let the heat trapped under the ceiling out and allow air to circulate. Just one unexpected problem... birds!  Now, I knew that come the warmer weather there would be an issue with flies coming in as we don't have fly screens fitted (yet!).  Mosquitoes aren't a problem for the moment.  But birds!  Never thought of that one.
We have so many Welcome Swallows here.  They fly around, darting, dipping and diving at an amazing speed. Spook just loves to chase them. He really wants wings, he is keen to join them I think. He finds the highest possible spot - a rock or mound of earth and looks forever upwards.
Well, yesterday I had the said roof windows open a little to stop the hot air from accumulating. All of a sudden there was a rush of air and a brush of a wing across my head. There it was, in full flight and in panic mode, flying around the open spaces of our cathederal ceilings! Every so often it would land on the balustrade and pant, beak open, tipping it's head this way and that. Then off it would fly, straight into a window - bang! Undeterred it kept on going and kept on repeating the same mistake - bang, into the window.  Time for a rest it would perch on the balustrade infront of my computer.
Spook was beside himself!  He was wimpering and running this way and that - what to do?  I tried opening the front door and waved my arms frantically so that it would fly out - no such luck.
Eventually it smacked into the window so hard that it fell to the table below.  I dashed across and there he lay - beautiful inky blue wings spread out - dazed but seemingly uninjured. I scooped him up gently, he looked up at me and rested calmly in my hands. I took him outside and opened my hands - he stayed momentarily and then with a flurry of wings was off to join the flight of swallows darting this way and that!
Happy ending !