Watchful eyes for swifts

At this time of year I am on the lookout for the first swifts to arrive from Africa. Usually I see them here in mid-May although I have seen them elsewhere as early as April 27th. 

I am ever hopeful I'll see one in East Anglia, UK in April. My son just has!

UPDATE 0915z:  Whilst walking with my wife to the hairdressers I was observing the sky for about an hour. Sadly, no swifts seen.

Swifts (birds) gone?

It is over a week since I have seen a swift. They breed here, but migrate to warmer climes until the spring. 

I guess it will be next May before I see any more here.

Swifts - NOT amateur radio

These are migratory birds that are supposed to be declining in numbers mainly as result of fewer nest sites. 

We certainly see far fewer swallows although I saw plenty in Devon last week.

This year, I seem to have spotted more swifts than last year. If I had not heard of the issue of falling numbers I would not have known. Maybe locally there are still plenty of swift nest sites or numbers are growing again? For example, there were about 20 screaming overhead earlier in a feeding party.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/swift .

More swifts? - NOT amateur radio

There are certainly fewer swallows. At one time there were masses on telegraph wires. To see a swallow at all these days is a rare event here. 

The common view is that swifts are in decline too. That is not my experience. Although this may be local, I have found more swifts this summer than the last few years. Last summer I could look skywards and wait 30 minutes to see a swift. This summer, I look up and almost immediately see a swift. It would be good to know the experience of others in the UK. 

Certainly, many swift nest sites have gone. Have they adapted? It would be good if this was true.

See https://rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/swift .

Swifts: live webcam - NOT amateur radio

These migrant birds fascinate me. They are only here for a few short months to breed, but seeing them come gladdens my heart.

They feed and sleep on the wing and usually only land to breed. Years ago I found one alive on the ground. After a night's rest, it flew off. I guess the number of people that have been privileged to hold a swift is quite small.

Swifts - NOT amateur radio

Although I both saw and heard swifts in Ghent, Belgium last week, yesterday was the first time this year I had heard swifts screaming in a feeding party overhead in England. It is too soon to comment on numbers although I spotted 5 overhead. 

Swifts are part of the UK sky in late spring and early summer.

Still no swifts - NOT amateur radio

 

They usually arrive here soon and stay a few months. Every day I scan the skies, but nothing yet. 

Once they arrive they are very common overhead. 

Often they are heard screaming first.

Many of their traditional nest sites have gone and numbers are down. Once they arrive, I feel life is still OK.

"The Screaming Sky -- in pursuit of swifts" by Charles Foster - NOT amateur radio

This book, loaned to me by my son, is about the lives of swifts.  Reading it makes you realise they are only here for a few months, with their real home in Africa. Funny, I always await the joyous return of the swifts every spring.

 See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/swift .

Late, late, show? - NOT amateur radio

This morning, I could not believe my ears and then eyes. 

At first I heard what sounded like swifts screaming, but saw nothing. Later, at the bus stop, I again heard screaming overhead again. Then I saw them. Quite unmistakable with their scythe like wings. 

It was probably a very late brood that had just left the nest. I saw 2, but there were probably more.  My wife also saw 2. 

Swifts normally migrate by mid August. These are the latest I have ever seen in the UK. They may be the latest ever seen in the whole county this year.

Last swift? - NOT amateur radio

On August 9th I was about to report the swifts had flown south.  Then I saw 10!  Today I saw a solitary swift overhead. I think this is probably the last I shall see in the UK until next spring. To me, screaming swifts are an important part of the cycle of life.

Most swifts still here - NOT amateur radio

Most swifts (birds) are still here. They usual start migrating south in late July or early August. Suddenly one realises the screaming of feeding parties high above has stopped. 

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swift/ .

Swifts still here - NOT amateur radio

Certainly yesterday, most swifts (birds) were still here. Sometime soon, we will realise they have gone south until next spring. Au revoir.

See https://www.rsgb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swift/ .

Screaming swifts - NOT amateur radio

 

As I write this, it is July 8th. It is not uncommon to hear feeding parties of swifts. Look up and there they are. Tonight there was a party on the wing of about 20 birds.

Suddenly they will all be gone. They fly south to central Africa, where insects are more plentiful. It beats me why they migrate as I would have thought there would be a plentiful supply of flying insects there all year around. The journey is a hazardous one crossing deserts and much of Europe.

Numbers seem to be holding up here. There is a concern about losing nest sites on old buildings and barns. I can't say numbers appear lower here. Indeed I have also seen more swallows than last year.

Once they have gone it takes a few weeks to realise they are not here. In this part of the UK most are back by mid May. When they are here they are one of the most common birds seen. They feed and sleep on the wing. It gladdens my heart when they return. They have been making his journey for thousands or even millions of years completely oblivious of wars that trouble humans.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swift/ .

Screaming swifts - NOT amateur radio

To my mind, the screaming of swifts feeding on the wing is a sign of English late spring and summer. In this part of the UK they usually arrive in mid-May, although in some parts they are seen earlier. Often they are heard before they are seen. Usually they are heard screaming, one looks up and there are the swifts! The sight of these in the sky warms my heart. By mid-August most have flown south.

Swifts in the UK - NOT amateur radio

These migratory birds breed here and then go to central Africa on migration. They only stop a few months, then they go. One day they are on the wing screaming in feeding parties. Then the skies fall silent until next spring. Most leave in August. Although numbers are lower, I cannot say I have noticed. There are far fewer swallows here.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swift/.

Swifts - NOT amateur radio

A week ago I had seen no swifts. Now they are one of the commonest birds in the sky. I have also seen a couple of swallows, but no cuckoos heard. 

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swift/ .

Swifts on the move? - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday we went  for a nice walk around the sleepy village of Reach, near Cambridge. Although there were swifts around, there are fewer. At least some have started heading south. 

Screaming swifts in the air are a sound of late spring and early summer in the UK. Sometime in August you just realise they are not there. It will be next April or May until they (hopefully) will be back again.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swift/ .

Swifts screaming - NOT amateur radio

When gardening a few days ago I heard swifts overhead screaming. This a very English sound of spring and summer. They feed on the wing and are often heard before being seen.

Swifts (birds) - NOT amateur radio

Swifts are migratory birds that spend a lot of time in Africa. They breed in the UK. These birds sleep on the wing and are a common sight in UK skies in early summer. These stay for only a few months. For several weeks these birds can be seen screaming in the skies above our heads. Quite suddenly we realise they are not there any more. The skies are quiet. They usually arrive here in late April and early May.  The arrival of the first swift is always significant for me.

The only time they land is to breed.  Numbers have fallen as their nest sites are disappearing. The RSPB is trying to encourage us to erect swift nestboxes to reverse this. I hope it succeeds.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swift/

Swifts (birds) - NOT amateur radio

What a difference a few days make! Earlier this week I was pleasantly pleased to see a single swift. Now they are one of the commonest birds in the sky. First you hear the screams, you look overhead and there is a flock of swifts. They only stay a few months, but what a joy!