Site Manager Andrew has written this for you:
We’ve had a few early reports of swift seen over the reserve over the last week or so, but today we have been seeing little parties going though, first 3, then another (or maybe not !) 3, then a dozen and then 8 – it feels like they are really starting to return.
These amazing masters of the skies are one of the last migrants to return, and of course one of the first to go, leaving in early August – making their stay with us only about 3 months long.
Swifts by Ben Andrews (rspb-images.com)
Soon, screaming parties of swifts, such a sign of summer, will be gracing the skies over towns and villages. Aerial feeders, they will travel far and wide to find insect food for their young back in the nest, and they are also known to be capable of travelling huge distances to fly around thunderstorms.
Availability of nesting spaces in our roofs is an increasing problem for swifts, and there are concerted efforts in many towns and cities to create space for these birds. Oxford will soon have a swift tower, specially designed for them, and Brighton is mapping its swift populations and planning for how to protect where they nest. As a result of advice that we have given, we hope that two new developments near the reserve here will cater for swifts, though the provision of nesting bricks in new houses, and also a swift tower.
You can find out more about how to help swifts here..
https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/roofs-for-wildlife/
And you can report swift activity in your area here…
https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/conservation/conservation-and-sustainability/safeguarding-species/help-us-help-swifts/