Hello All
Although today has been dreary and wet or actually because of it we have been rewarded with some amazing swift action.
Although swifts (Apus apus) do not breed at Rye Meads (despite my optimistically putting up some swift boxes on the visitor center a couple of years ago) they do breed in some of the houses of the nearby town of Hoddesdon. So we often have good numbers about, although on sunny days they mostly stay quite high. Swifts are quite distinctive with their dark plumage and white throat, sickle-shaped wings and forked tail. It is not until the weather turns that you get to see these amazing birds so close.
The weather has brought the swifts (and insects they are hunting) low and they have been zipping along the paths just above head height, sometimes lower causing the odd duck as you walk along. Standing outside the Draper hide the swifts were quite spectacular in their acrobatics, over heads, hedges and along trails. A popular spot for shear numbers was at top of the zig zag ramp leading down to the Ashby hide, which as we passed a wave of swifts joined those already zipping past and we all stood to gape. You could also hear choruses of screams from some tight flocks as they flew low over the lagoons, while other birds skimmed the surface of the water. It is really hard for me to describe the scene effectively for you, it's just something you have to experience. So brave the rain forecast over the next couple of days and come over and immerse yourself in swifts!
So plenty of goodies for you to enjoy.
See you soon
thanks
Vicky