Been an 'unconventional' season so far. Two adults arrived end of first week of May. Straight in the box. Very low key for weeks after that, with only occasional sightings, and unlike previous two years, several days of 'screaming' from inside the box. Then last week, regular sightings of an adult flying out of the box. From seeing once every few days to five times in one day....despite having other things to do with my time. Yesterday, a 'pack' of often 4 swifts started approaching the house, checking out martin nests as well as the occupied swift nest. Today it's cranked up further. Had to shut the bedroom window as swifts were getting close to coming in. Came eyeball to eyeball with one of them!
I am assuming at least one is an immature bird. Fledged a youngster in each of the last two years, so one or both could be back this year to see about future nesting options.
Photo below is of one of the 'invaders'. One did get in and a fight broke out inside the box. I could here the battle and after a minute or so, half a swift hanged out the box before it then broke free. They tried again and the photos are from that attempt. An adult was inside throughout. Hopefully it's the 'owner' and any swiftlet that might have been in there is undamaged.
Note the quite pale top of the head of the invader.
I think 2024 is again going to end up being a guess. I can hear a faint call from a swiftlet in the box. Same sound as when feeding is going on.....except there has been no sign of feeding for two days now. Swifts have been flying around. Two in particular keep going up to properties......too quick to age them. No face at the nest box entrance despite looking at regular intervals. Slightly worried the ton of rubbish the sparrows take in has fouled up the legs of the nestlings. Probably doesn't take much with swifts. Been nesting material dangling outside the box now for about two weeks......
Will update if any changes, but as the box is too heavy & too awkward to get at without scaffolding to open up later in the year, I think that could be the last update on here.
oh dear, that doesn't sound very promising for the swiftlets but as you say, sadly, far too difficult to do anything about it at this time. Their legs are almost non existent so any stuff the sparrows have taken in could cause significant difficulty for the swiftlets. Worrying time as you say Rob.
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Regards, Hazel
I was researching online about Swift behaviours and read somewhere that chicks & adults can go into 'torpor' and go without food for up to fifteen days?? Would like to know if this is true
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jun/13/swifts-survive-wet-british-june-weatherwatch#:~:text=But%20the%20swift%20has%20a,survive%20for%20days%20without%20food.
Cannot now find the article which said 15 days
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Thanks. Still checking each time I pop outside, or look out the window. Not seen any swifts today, though heard them late last night flying around....late in terms of it almost being dark.
That is true, Wendy. However, this is the end of the breeding season. Bad weather is brief normally, so that's when going without food is handy. After the last feed it is just prolonging the inevitable. Swifts in this area leave in the last week of July, or at least, are gone by August. A few can be seen high up after 1st August each year, or heard, but they will be passing through. A small number may have been late breeders here too, but that nest this year wasn't late.
The adult pair on the nestcam in Bolton that I have been watching have returned for their fourth overnight stay since their three chicks fledged ... they have suffered cold/wet/windy weather in their area for much of the time, can't remember where you are in relation!
Thanks. SW England. Definitely one hasn't fledged yet. Maybe one did? That would be good. Previous days, there had been five. Very difficult to age while they're flying I've found! I could hear one in the box this morning, so know one hasn't got away yet.
for that one then ... raining here yet again, is it same for you?
Some very speedy action by my local Swift (& all other wildlife) advocate, he works tirelessly in his spare time to help educate others to help wildlife wherever possible ...
theisleofthanetnews.com/.../
My understanding is 2 or maybe 3 days.
This is based on reports of scaffold erected on a Friday blocking access to nest sites.