[Other Sport] Anyone seen any swifts?

[Pevenseagull]

My noisy visitors are normally about by now but no sign as yet.

I love them and miss them.

 

[worthingweird]

Yep...

 

[Wrong-Direction]

Seen a couple of tits

 

[Zeberdi]

Been around for a week or so now - the wet weather would have made them disappear from their breeding sites for a few days in search of food - they’ll be back

 

[AmexRuislip]

Seen a couple of tits

Was that in the 1901

 

[Coldeanseagull]

Talking of birds, I had a male sparrowhawk land on my study windowsill yeasterday. Just sat there staring at me....until I lifted my phone up to photograph it!

 

[BrightonCottager]

I was wondering about this the other day. Since 2009, I've been noting when I've seen my first swifts. The earliest was 20th April, the latest 20th May. I've not seen any yet this year although it has been a bit chilly and maybe the north winds have been pushing them back a bit.

 

[Super Steve Earle]

House Martin's haven't been back to our way since Covid. Previously regular visitors.

 

[portlock seagull]

In these days of climate change, one Swallow doesn’t make it Winter

 

[portlock seagull]

Been around for a week or so now - the wet weather would have made them disappear from their breeding sites for a few days in search of food - they’ll be back

That or the Maltese, French etc have shot ‘em all on their annual migration north. Bastards!

 

[wolfie]

Our's returned to their usual nest in the eaves last week, up here in Warwickshire. Loads of guano to clear up on the drive soon.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

African or European swifts?

 

[Boroseagull]

Common Swifts are a little late this year possibly due to shortage of insects (re-fuelling en route) but my birding pal in Aberdeen has them back in his village but fewer than last year. Mind you still Alpine Swifts around the UK (Wales, North East and even Scotland, plus several in Ireland) it's assumed these birds (up to 70 of them) overshot their normal nesting areas when blown off course). But if you're lucky enough to see one (you won't miss it, larger than common and a white belly) - fabulous birds!

Birdwatchers elated as Alpine swifts flock to Britain and Ireland in rare numbers

Funnel of south-westerly winds help push birds towards Irish coast and UK mainland as far north as Scotland

www.theguardian.com

 

[Albion my Albion]

Talking of birds, I had a male sparrowhawk land on my study windowsill yeasterday. Just sat there staring at me....until I lifted my phone up to photograph it!

Birds don't do freebies. You gotta have some seed or other form of reward for them if you want them to sit for a pic.

 

[BrightonCottager]

Still not seen any swifts in the Preston Park area. Any other Brighton sightings? I thought it might be these northerly winds we've had for weeks.

 

[Titanic]

Yes - always amazes me that they return from their migration - thousands of miles away in Africa - to the same house!

 

[Bodian]

Plenty up here - and I was in Ludlow this week; plenty there as well.

 

[robinsonsgrin]

screeching happily in the skies above LA

 

[m20gull]

Lincolnshire has them, and has done for a couple of weeks

 

[MattBackHome]

Loads yesterday evening on the wing above Portslade. My mates swift boxes remain uninhabited as yet, sadly. He has taken to piping out Swift song via a speaker to try and attract them.