Continuation of 2012 Swifts from here ...... http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/wildlife/f/1916/t/79001.aspx?pi2132219858=1#945786
Greenbird posted this today .....
'Spotted my local swifts (Cardiff) at about 5.00pm today. As this is their usual date to show up, I've been keeping my eyes peeled for them. Nothing - hadn't seen a single one till 5.00pm.
Summer's here! Which of course means a couple of weeks of cold wet weather to come.....'
To which I replied .....
'Well that's good news GB about the return of your Swifts but not about the awful weather to come!!
I am going to start a new thread for sightings & general news updates for all our Swifts as this current thread is one that has been corrupted by removed posts & does not open when 'last post' is selected ... It involves starting from beginning of 10 pages & scrolling through to the end each & every time a post is made!
There will be a link from here to new thread & a similar one in new thread so that all this info does not sink without trace & I shall copy your post over!'
Now all I need is for some kind soul to make my links 'posh' ones!!
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Went round to the Uni hall of residence last night and saw three swifts accessing the roof - so they can definitely get in now, which is really great news.
However, there used to be 10-12 pairs nesting there and last night there were nowhere near that number about. So it looks like the problems last year may mean that a good number of pairs are no longer there. But we'll keep monitoring it, in case there are more there or more turn up.
Fingers crossed!
Some are better than none GB! Keep us updated, still nothing here!
Sunderland, the swifts have arrived. One day earlier than last year, maybe the recent nice weather speeded their return, bet they wished they took their time now, its chucking it down. Still, they are giving impressive aerial display this morning.
Hi. I'm new to this; usually report swifts on RSPB count, but website page 'under maintenance'.
We have 7 swifts here so far in Stockport - arrived 9th May, couple of days later than last year. They've been coming here for 30 years that I can remember. Near to town but also river, park, farmland. Old farmhouse on corner of road. Last year's total was 25. Hope rest on their way. Sheila
More good news about returning Swifts, thanks for posting!
And, at last, I saw three flying over Pegwell Bay Country Park (E Kent) on Saturday afternoon, no pics unfortunately but was so pleased to see some!
Not sure if this is already widely known, but BBC Springwatch is going to be featuring swifts! See www.bristolswifts.co.uk/bbc-springwatch-filming-swifts
Really good news!
Lots at Rainham Marshes yesterday. Another three months of challenging/infuriating photography begins :D
My blog: http://mazzaswildside.blogspot.co.uk/
My Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/124028194@N04/
Well - you've made an excellent start! Lovely.
News to me GB but greatly interesting news nevertheless!
Good capture A, look forward to more ... wishing you much luck & even more swifts ( not seen any more here yet)
I am told that there will be a proper feature on swifts tonight on Springwatch. Really pleased to hear this as they need all the help they can get!
Seems to have been a funny old swift season so far - swifts missing and arriving much later than usual. Hope it's a reasonable summer so that they manage to raise a good number of young.