Still waiting for our Swifts to return to Sunderland (22 years running), has anyone got theirs back yet further south :)
Ace photos, G.
I spent the last three days in my old hometown (Hastings) on the south coast. When I was growing up there I'd always reckon to see the first Swifts high overhead sometime in the last week of April, and then the breeding birds would be back storming up and down the streets of the Old Town somewhere around 5-7th May. Didn't see a single one this time though, very sad.
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Only had 2 sightings on our patch and that may have been the same bird several days apart,not caught sight of a House Martin either despite scanning all the hirundines.
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
Haven't seen any here in SE Kent yet either - the first year I was here (7 years ago) I had a Swift fly into my lounge through double doors & that was in early May!
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Hurray, walking back tonight at 8.45pm saw my first two Swifts here in Norwich (Nr Airport) I have been scanning the beautiful blue skies all week, rain forcast tonight and tomorrow! Maybe there will be more tomorrow.
Only have 4 at present.They come in waves.I believe its the males 1st...then females.The non breeding yearlings arrive later in the season to familiarise themselves with the nesting sites & surroundings for later in life.
To kill time (I`m so impatient) I`ve been swotting up on aerodynamics.I now know that I didnt have enough drag to prevent me hitting the bus stop`s metal post when alighting prematurely from the 220.
rsif.royalsocietypublishing.org/.../807.full Great pictures, Galatas....Any chance of a rear or head-on shot? :-)
Just for you Edge
Duck now !
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Bu...r me! Thats exactly what I`m after...Do you own a hot air balloon? Brilliant.
edgebander said: Thats exactly what I`m after...
Er , excuse me , can you explain that please ? In what sense is it "exactly what your after" ?
I am trying to suss out how they fly.I think their flapping & gliding technique is not what I thought it was.I wanted to see body position relative to the wings.....I obviously have too much time on my hands. :-)
edit. Its a great shot.
How are you getting such good shots of swifts, they are far too quick for me to capture when ive tried? What camera and settings are you using, any tips? p.s. my swifts still not seen here in Sunderland.