Swifts
8 swifts above Glastonbury town centre yesterday looking like resident birds but as they have been absent for a number of days I guess they were passing through and 13 birds counted this evening.
Have not seen them over Crewkerne since sat 6th .I guess they are gone.Apparently there is a phrase for the aerial acrobatics and screeching when they group together.Screaming parties,i have had chance to see this twice this summer and jolly good parties they were too!.Ive also seen them sipping water (first time) and at the coast flying low along the beach then zooming up and over grass on low cliffs.I will certainly put some time aside for swift spotting next year.
About 20 Swifts still over Somerton this evening.
Still around 24 over Crewkerne town centre yesterday evening (1st Aug). My Biggest count here this year was was 28th July when there were around 50 (I counted 47 but they were moving about so much I am sure that is a minimum) including several obvious juveniles with their white faces. It appeared they may have had a good breeding season.
That is excellent news Ken.They were still over the Bushfield road area last evening.I was getting worried that they might be in decline due to some of the older buildings being “improved” and loss of nesting sites .I may be wrong thank goodness.
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20-30 Swifts feeding frantically along rhyne at Stockmoor tonight and
for last week.
Still around 24 over Crewkerne town centre yesterday evening (1st Aug). My Biggest count here this year was was 28th July when there were around 50 (I counted 47 but they were moving about so much I am sure that is a minimum) including several obvious juveniles with their white faces. It appeared they may have had a good breeding season.
Looks like the Glastonbury swifts have departed,most likely on Saturday evening.Last night just a single bird visible before the light faded.
I was pleased to see approximately 23 swifts over Crewkerne about a week ago.They were still here on the 27/7 but last nights heavy rain kept me indoors.Will have a look this evening 30/7.They are usually gone by the end of the first week in August.
a group of over 20 birds circling over head tonight in Cheddar
After reading on the Portland blog that swifts have been observed leaving this island already,it was a joy to see the Glastonbury swifts in full aerobatic display last night,up to 30 birds commanding the sky and seeing out the longest day ,last few going to roost at 10 pm.