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Do you still have Swifts in your area?

I've noticed them building in number in feeding flocks over the back of my house near Bedford - they seem to be moving in general southerly movements. If i remember rightly it was 11th August last year my last sighting. Sad to see them go - they are my indicator of high summer...

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  • We've got some here in Pilton, Somerset.  We're not sure where they nest and we think there are fewer than there used to be.  We'll pay more attention from now on.

  • Well, it is currently hammering it down with rain here in sunny Rutland, but whenever it is dry there have been a fair few swifts about, screaming above the streets of the pretty villages. But yes, all good things must come to an end and soon we'll start to see them depart. Our spotted flycatchers have already seemed to have disappeared. Won't be long before autumn is here...

    Reedbed, freshwater scrapes, saltmarsh and wet meadow. Frampton Marsh has it all! Come and pay us a visit soon.

  • Sometimes we have about 30 swifts flying around at the back of our house.  There are fields, trees and a river.   I did let the RSPB know when they were doing their Watch.

    There is also a church where a pair of barn owls used to nest but we haven't seen them for a few years now.   Trees were planted and they block the view of the church but the river is still visible so if they were flying up and down it we would be able to see them. 

    Use whatever talent you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sing the best.
    - Henry Van ***

  • Forgot to mention that we had a most enjoyable afternoon at Rutland Water but only had time to visit the south shore part.  We did manage to see the male osprey close up though so it was a worth while visit for us and me especially.  I would love to go to the bird fair but that would be too much walking and standing about for me I think.

    I've been watching the Loch Garten ospreys from when the cam first appeared.  I used to drive my husband mad with all my, "Come and see this",  "This"   or  "This".  He finally accepted that it would be easier to have them on his laptop and now he is as interested as me.  I would never be able to volunteer (not active enough) but if I work on him he might volunteer as he loves all birds and has said about doing some voluntary work since he took early retirement last year.

    Will just have to wait and see.

    Use whatever talent you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sing the best.
    - Henry Van ***

  • We still have Swifts in Bristol. They usually leave here in August so  I keep scanning the skies all month.

    How DO we REALLY repond to a thread 'cos this afternoon when I finally managed to access the site I posted under (can't remember)  by 'replying'  to a post already made  Anyway, it published on its own  not at the bottom of the thread.

    And I'm feeling like an Orphan at the moment 'cos I can't seem to connect with anyone.

     

     

  • Yes we have swifts in quite large numbers here especially over Stockton-on-Tees town centre.

    The only source of knowledge is experience. Albert Einstein

  • Unknown said:

    We still have Swifts in Bristol. They usually leave here in August so  I keep scanning the skies all month.

    How DO we REALLY repond to a thread 'cos this afternoon when I finally managed to access the site I posted under (can't remember)  by 'replying'  to a post already made  Anyway, it published on its own  not at the bottom of the thread.

    And I'm feeling like an Orphan at the moment 'cos I can't seem to connect with anyone.

     

     

    Hi Cirrus,

    You click on reply, then if you want the comment you are replying to appearing with your reply just click on''click to include in your reply'' (appears in blue writing under original comment.)  Hope that makes sense!

     

     

    Libby  :o)

  • I saw this thread before and was sure I'd seen swifts but didn't want to say in case I was wrong. Today, I most definitely saw swifts so yes, we still have swifts here in Aberdeen.

    Make the most of today because, unlike Sky+, there isn't a rewind button.

  • hi

    we still have a few here in the New Forest..

    Life without Nature I could not cope..Being keep locked away..from the forest.. I could not stand..

    freedom till I die...

  • We have swifts flying over the house in urban south east Northumberland. I live on the coast, with farmland about a quarter mile away.

    Joan - avid bird and nature watcher in Northumberland!

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