Blogger: Emily Field, Volunteer & Farmer Alliance Project Officer (Bird Survey Data & Advice)
You might think I'm bonkers when you look at the weather forecast for the week ahead (max 6c and scattered showers) but as far as I'm concerned it's official, blue skies and barbeques are on their way. How do I know this? Our swifts, the heralds of warmer weather are already half way on their epic 14000 mile flight home from South Africa, and are due to hit our shores at the end of April.
Whenever I hear the expression 'free as a bird' I always picture our swifts and swallows, sailing carefree against a blue sky. So lofty and flitting and free to cross continents in pursuit of warmth without so much as having to apply for a passport or visa let alone negotiate an airport check in lounge.
Last Autumn, as the cool air crept in and I said goodbye with sadness and envy to the last swallows, the swifts were already long gone and I mourned for the summer. I wished I could have gone with them for their bit of winter sun in Africa. I haven't been abroad for years and would love to see some of that amazing continent.
Of course we're lucky here in Norfolk really. Our coast quickly becomes the place to be in the Autumn for Scandinavian tourists in the guise of pink footed geese and huge flocks of wading birds, a real spectacle which always brightens up the winter.
So as the geese gather to head home I'm excitedly anticipating the homecoming of the swifts in May and balmy summer evenings laying in the hammock to watch them swirling and screaming over head. They scoop up insects high above our towns and villages, making use of crevasses in our historic buildings to raise the next generation.
Two moments stick indelibly in my mind from last spring and this is what I'm looking forward to again this year. At the end of March I saw the first swallows of the year, announcing their arrival with a frenetic slalom across the fields. In the beginning of May I remember climbing up on the roof of my house to get a good view of the first pair of swifts to arrive. I also remember sharing a barbeque with our friends who are lucky enough to have an 18th century cottage with a 'wiggly' roof. I was silenced by a swift emerging from under a roof tile. To them it was just business as usual.
If my bungalow roof was a little higher I would have put up boxes for swifts to nest in, but for now, I'm content with recording my sightings of them at rspb.org.uk/helpswifts to help do my bit. Why don't you do the same?
Photo Credit: Swallow by Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)
Article in the Eastern Daily Press on 12th March 2011