8 swifts over Frome centre this morning.  Frome is always a good place for late swifts, since there are so many breeders here.  Also, the juv sparrowhawks breeding in central Frome waste ground seem to have moved on in the last few days, after ~4 weeks very noisy calling and chasing of parents for food.

Haven’t seen any for a few days now.

Just 3 swifts gliding silently over Langport this afternoon in the sunshine after the worst of the storms had past. Maybe the last time for this summer?

still several around Cheddar, near the lower end of the gorge, ..... [just returned from Italy where i witnessed a group of around 40 birds in one group]

Still a decent number overhead in Somerton this evening.
Counted one group of 7 but more in total.

Have they gone ? Yesterday we had the expected screaming squadrons, today, two or three high flying, distant birds.

Thrilling displays by squadrons of swifts wheeling around and over Langport this week in the hot weather. Breeding population seems to be doing well here, especially with so many old roofs for nest sites. At least 40 birds here on Tuesday 23rd, but 45 to 50 seen here today 25th, with screaming displays up and down the main street and beyond. Brilliant birds.

My rough assessment based on the last 3 years is that we haven’t, locally, seen a decrease in numbers - no indication of an increase either.

Must get round to installing nest boxes.

22-July-2019
After only observing 7 Swifts around my house in Street on the 20th, the following evening saw 18, followed by 22 on the 22nd when also another gathering of c.40 high in the sky just to the east over part of the old town. My breeding pair were still entering their nest at dusk this last date.

Approx 30 Swifts around the house/Shudrick Valley in Ilminster - coincided with at least two ant nuptial flights.

Looking at the behaviour of the Swifts and local Herring Gull and Jackdaws, there were others !