Earlier today I received a call to say that someone had a juvenile House Martin in their garden. I went to collect the bird, only to find that it was in fact a juvenile Swift. It did not like being in the pet carrier as it had no vertical surfaces to which it could cling. Instead I carried it home and then took it to Liz from Forget Me Not Wildlife Rescue in Wallington. It spent the journey still clinging to my sweatshirt and after a while it fell asleep. Liz has two juvenile House Martins at present and the Swift was put in with them. It immediately settled down with its new friends and began to eat the various insects on offer. It's a bit of a stretch, but does it count as #35 by virtue of it clinging to me while I was in the garden?
The new limited edition RSPB Swift pin badge. It's very realistic isn't it?
Unicum arbustum haud alit duos erithacos
(One bush does not shelter two Robins)
Zenodotus (3rd Century B.C.)
To be honest I only responded to a phone call, but it was a rather special collection.
Paul, What a stroke of good luck for the little Swift to have you rescue it but also what luck for you to be able to hold it. Well done you! I've never been that close to a Swift.
Kind regards, Ann