A rare albino swallow has been spotted in Craven. This picture was taken by reader Maureen Nicholas in the garden at her Eldroth home on Friday. The internet tells me there's a one-in-18,000 chance of albinism affecting a bird, making this swallow a rare sight indeed. Evidently albinos usually have weak eyesight and brittle wing and tail feathers, which may reduce their ability to fly. They are also often bullied by their own species.