Showing posts with label swift. Show all posts
Showing posts with label swift. Show all posts
19 May 2017
Swifts nest - NOT amateur radio
There is a swift's nest on the adjoining hotel balcony in Corfu. Despite waiting over 15 minutes I was not able to take a photo of the bird which I saw return once.
Labels:
swift
8 May 2017
Fewer swallows (birds)? - NOT amateur radio
It is the second week in May and I have seen no house martins, just one swift and very few swallows. I may be wrong, but there seem fewer around here this year.
Yesterday we went for a walk, taking about an hour, around part of the village and the skies were empty of these. In years past, the skies would have been filled with these migrants.
Each year that passes, there appear to be fewer and fewer. Just a few years ago (even last year) swifts were the most common bird in the summer sky. I have been looking and there are very few around, so far at least. Maybe they are late arriving, although I fear there are genuinely fewer about.
From the RSPB website:
"Swallow numbers in the UK have fluctuated over the last 30 years with pronounced regional variation in trends."
Yesterday we went for a walk, taking about an hour, around part of the village and the skies were empty of these. In years past, the skies would have been filled with these migrants.
Each year that passes, there appear to be fewer and fewer. Just a few years ago (even last year) swifts were the most common bird in the summer sky. I have been looking and there are very few around, so far at least. Maybe they are late arriving, although I fear there are genuinely fewer about.
From the RSPB website:
"Swallow numbers in the UK have fluctuated over the last 30 years with pronounced regional variation in trends."
Labels:
house martin,
migrants,
swallows,
swift
24 Apr 2017
Looking for swifts - NOT amateur radio
Cuckoos should be about soon, but I have not heard any. They often lay their eggs in reed warbler nests up the lode (waterway) not far from here, but we rarely hear cuckoos these days.
See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bird-and-wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/s/swift/ .
25 Aug 2016
Swifts gone - NOT amateur radio
It is now several weeks since I last saw (and heard) swifts overhead. I guess they have started their journeys south to warmer climes. For a few months they are an English summer. Then one day you realise they have gone. I miss them and look forward to their return next May.
I think I mentioned before that I had the rare privilege of holding a swift many years ago when one landed accidentally in the road. We kept it in a box overnight and fed it insects. The next day it just flew away. They really are lovely birds.
Farewell and safe journeying over land and sea. See you next year.
I think I mentioned before that I had the rare privilege of holding a swift many years ago when one landed accidentally in the road. We kept it in a box overnight and fed it insects. The next day it just flew away. They really are lovely birds.
Farewell and safe journeying over land and sea. See you next year.
9 Aug 2016
Swifts going? - NOT amateur radio
In May they arrive and for a few months the swifts are screaming in the skies above us. Then, you realise they are there no longer. I think they start to move this month.
I am sure there are swifts still around but there are fewer than a few weeks ago. Just weeks ago there were more than 20 overhead. Let us hope I see their return in the spring. To me, the screaming swifts are the making of an English spring and summer.
This year there were fewer swallows and house martins, but I saw plenty of swifts.
See http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/s/swift/ .
I am sure there are swifts still around but there are fewer than a few weeks ago. Just weeks ago there were more than 20 overhead. Let us hope I see their return in the spring. To me, the screaming swifts are the making of an English spring and summer.
This year there were fewer swallows and house martins, but I saw plenty of swifts.
See http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/s/swift/ .
Labels:
swift
5 May 2016
What a difference a day makes - NOT amateur radio
Yesterday I saw my first swift (bird) of the season. Today they seem to be everywhere!
This afternoon there were several feeding on insects high in the sky and there was a house martin high over our windmill. This morning we saw swifts in Newmarket and a number over our village with a sparrowhawk.
In just one day swifts have gone from being rare to very common.
This afternoon there were several feeding on insects high in the sky and there was a house martin high over our windmill. This morning we saw swifts in Newmarket and a number over our village with a sparrowhawk.
In just one day swifts have gone from being rare to very common.
Labels:
swift
4 May 2016
First swifts spotted - NOT amateur radio
To me, swifts herald summer. Today, just before lunch, I spotted my first 2 swifts of the season high overhead. This is about the time I first see them here. There have been reports of swifts in Devon for a couple of weeks.
Hearing these summer visitors screaming in the evening sky brings real joy to my heart. Summer is nearly here!
Swifts have much narrower scythe like wings than swallows and house martins. They are late to arrive and leave early. They spend most of their lives on the wing. Years ago one crashed in the road and I was lucky enough to care for it overnight and handle it. The next day it just flew off!
See https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/s/swift/
Hearing these summer visitors screaming in the evening sky brings real joy to my heart. Summer is nearly here!
Swifts have much narrower scythe like wings than swallows and house martins. They are late to arrive and leave early. They spend most of their lives on the wing. Years ago one crashed in the road and I was lucky enough to care for it overnight and handle it. The next day it just flew off!
See https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/s/swift/
Labels:
swift
20 Sept 2015
Hirundines - NOT amateur radio
Around this time most of our summer migrant birds are heading south for warmer weather and more insects. Most swifts will have gone now to return here at the end of April or the start of May next year.
Today I saw a swallow and that may be the last this year. Some young birds may be around for a few weeks and it is just possible some may remain in South Devon and South Cornwall all year. Just a few may survive on the coast where there may be insects near seaweed all year. I once saw some swallows in South Devon on Dec 7th but that is very late. No, most are now gone to return next spring, at least gone from East Anglia. Some travel thousands of miles all the way to South Africa - a truly remarkable journey - often returning to the very same next site they left. Quite remarkable.
The migration of birds is almost miraculous. I am sorry to see them leave but my heart is always glad when they return.
Of course, to some birds we are seen as warm! The Whooper and Bewick swans join us as do the fieldfares and redwings.
There is something good in every season.
Today I saw a swallow and that may be the last this year. Some young birds may be around for a few weeks and it is just possible some may remain in South Devon and South Cornwall all year. Just a few may survive on the coast where there may be insects near seaweed all year. I once saw some swallows in South Devon on Dec 7th but that is very late. No, most are now gone to return next spring, at least gone from East Anglia. Some travel thousands of miles all the way to South Africa - a truly remarkable journey - often returning to the very same next site they left. Quite remarkable.
The migration of birds is almost miraculous. I am sorry to see them leave but my heart is always glad when they return.
Of course, to some birds we are seen as warm! The Whooper and Bewick swans join us as do the fieldfares and redwings.
There is something good in every season.
Labels:
house martin,
swallow,
swift
25 Jul 2015
Swifts - NOT amateur radio
This evening, in a further attempt to beat my giddiness, I went for a decent (for me!) walk. One of the joys of an English summer evening is seeing swifts on the wing high in the sky and hearing their calls - a high pitched scream. To me, this is the sound of summer. Their wings are scythe like and they spend most of their lives on the wing.
They arrive late (around the end of April) and go before summer is done. It an ephemeral sound that they make. When you hear it, it is truly late spring or summer. Soon the summer migrants will head south to warmer skies and we will be joined by migrants from the north such as whooper and bewick swans from the high Arctic and Russia as well thrushes like redwings and fieldfares from Scandinavia. To them we represent warmth and mildness!
For now I am content to hear those swifts, although they will soon be on their way. Hopefully, I'll still be around for their return in the spring. Seeing the first swifts in late April brings joy to my heart. The cycle of life that has happened for thousands of years goes on. No doubt this cycle went on when we still lived in caves and when Roman soldiers walked these lands and this cycle will still be going on long after I am dust again.
See http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/s/swift/ .
They arrive late (around the end of April) and go before summer is done. It an ephemeral sound that they make. When you hear it, it is truly late spring or summer. Soon the summer migrants will head south to warmer skies and we will be joined by migrants from the north such as whooper and bewick swans from the high Arctic and Russia as well thrushes like redwings and fieldfares from Scandinavia. To them we represent warmth and mildness!
For now I am content to hear those swifts, although they will soon be on their way. Hopefully, I'll still be around for their return in the spring. Seeing the first swifts in late April brings joy to my heart. The cycle of life that has happened for thousands of years goes on. No doubt this cycle went on when we still lived in caves and when Roman soldiers walked these lands and this cycle will still be going on long after I am dust again.
See http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/s/swift/ .
25 Jun 2015
Swifts - NOT amateur radio
This image is located on the RSPB site and NOT on this blog. It will be removed if any issues are caused by its inclusion here. |
See http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/s/swift/ .
Labels:
swift
4 May 2015
Cuckoo - NOT amateur radio
We visited West Stow today with 2 of our young grandchildren. This is a reconstructed Anglo-Saxon village. We heard a goldcrest and the first cuckoo whilst there, but saw neither. A cuckoo is a sign if the return of spring. I have yet to see house martins or swifts and have only seen 2 swallows so far this spring.
Labels:
cuckoo,
goldcrest,
house martin,
swallow,
swift
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