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.
WendyBartter said: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
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
I hope this helps Wendy, the text from the link you provided.
Quote:
"For Britain’s breeding birds – especially those migrants that spend only a short time here before heading back to their winter home in Africa – June is a crucial month.
Plentiful sunshine – June is usually the sunniest month of the year in England and Wales, thanks to the long hours of daylight – provide the vast amounts of insects and invertebrates that these birds require to feed their young.barn swallows
This sunlight-fuelled source of energy is crucial: if their youngsters are to be fit and healthy enough to make the epic journey south in the autumn, they need to get enough food during this time of plenty.
Some Junes bring perfect weather for aerial hunters such as swallows, martins and swifts. These species feed on the tiny insect plankton that hangs invisibly in the air on still summer days, so if June is cooler and wetter than normal – as in 2012, which was the dullest since 1909 – they struggle to find enough food for their weak and hungry youngsters.
For some species, this means disaster. Unless the weather improves, they will not have enough time to raise a second brood before autumn arrives. But the swift has a clever trick up its sleeve.
During spells of bad weather, these aerial acrobats fly hundreds of miles away to avoid getting soaked. Meanwhile their young enter a state of torpor, reducing their energy consumption so they can survive for days without food. Once the weather improves, the adult swifts return to the nest laden with insects, and resume breeding.
This is what we're up against
Teams of lawyers from the rich and powerful trying to stop us publishing stories they don’t want you to see.
Lobby groups with opaque funding who are determined to undermine facts about the climate emergency and other established science.
Authoritarian states with no regard for the freedom of the press.
Bad actors spreading disinformation online to undermine democracy."
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler
Yes, bits of rain yesterday.
Update is that four swifts were flying here again last night about 9.30pm.....and again this morning. Not sure if it's possible or wishful thinking. But one of the front ones might have had quite a pale head. Sun is very strong this morning, so could be more challenging re evidence gathering, but will have a go. Thanks.