"The Screaming Sky -- in pursuit of swifts" by Charles Foster - NOT amateur radio

This book, loaned to me by my son, is about the lives of swifts.  Reading it makes you realise they are only here for a few months, with their real home in Africa. Funny, I always await the joyous return of the swifts every spring.

 See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/swift .

Late, late, show? - NOT amateur radio

This morning, I could not believe my ears and then eyes. 

At first I heard what sounded like swifts screaming, but saw nothing. Later, at the bus stop, I again heard screaming overhead again. Then I saw them. Quite unmistakable with their scythe like wings. 

It was probably a very late brood that had just left the nest. I saw 2, but there were probably more.  My wife also saw 2. 

Swifts normally migrate by mid August. These are the latest I have ever seen in the UK. They may be the latest ever seen in the whole county this year.

Last swift? - NOT amateur radio

On August 9th I was about to report the swifts had flown south.  Then I saw 10!  Today I saw a solitary swift overhead. I think this is probably the last I shall see in the UK until next spring. To me, screaming swifts are an important part of the cycle of life.

Most swifts still here - NOT amateur radio

Most swifts (birds) are still here. They usual start migrating south in late July or early August. Suddenly one realises the screaming of feeding parties high above has stopped. 

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swift/ .

Swifts still here - NOT amateur radio

Certainly yesterday, most swifts (birds) were still here. Sometime soon, we will realise they have gone south until next spring. Au revoir.

See https://www.rsgb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swift/ .

Screaming swifts - NOT amateur radio

 

As I write this, it is July 8th. It is not uncommon to hear feeding parties of swifts. Look up and there they are. Tonight there was a party on the wing of about 20 birds.

Suddenly they will all be gone. They fly south to central Africa, where insects are more plentiful. It beats me why they migrate as I would have thought there would be a plentiful supply of flying insects there all year around. The journey is a hazardous one crossing deserts and much of Europe.

Numbers seem to be holding up here. There is a concern about losing nest sites on old buildings and barns. I can't say numbers appear lower here. Indeed I have also seen more swallows than last year.

Once they have gone it takes a few weeks to realise they are not here. In this part of the UK most are back by mid May. When they are here they are one of the most common birds seen. They feed and sleep on the wing. It gladdens my heart when they return. They have been making his journey for thousands or even millions of years completely oblivious of wars that trouble humans.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swift/ .

Screaming swifts - NOT amateur radio

To my mind, the screaming of swifts feeding on the wing is a sign of English late spring and summer. In this part of the UK they usually arrive in mid-May, although in some parts they are seen earlier. Often they are heard before they are seen. Usually they are heard screaming, one looks up and there are the swifts! The sight of these in the sky warms my heart. By mid-August most have flown south.

Swifts in the UK - NOT amateur radio

These migratory birds breed here and then go to central Africa on migration. They only stop a few months, then they go. One day they are on the wing screaming in feeding parties. Then the skies fall silent until next spring. Most leave in August. Although numbers are lower, I cannot say I have noticed. There are far fewer swallows here.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swift/.

Swifts - NOT amateur radio

A week ago I had seen no swifts. Now they are one of the commonest birds in the sky. I have also seen a couple of swallows, but no cuckoos heard. 

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swift/ .

Swifts on the move? - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday we went  for a nice walk around the sleepy village of Reach, near Cambridge. Although there were swifts around, there are fewer. At least some have started heading south. 

Screaming swifts in the air are a sound of late spring and early summer in the UK. Sometime in August you just realise they are not there. It will be next April or May until they (hopefully) will be back again.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swift/ .

Swifts screaming - NOT amateur radio

When gardening a few days ago I heard swifts overhead screaming. This a very English sound of spring and summer. They feed on the wing and are often heard before being seen.

Swifts (birds) - NOT amateur radio

Swifts are migratory birds that spend a lot of time in Africa. They breed in the UK. These birds sleep on the wing and are a common sight in UK skies in early summer. These stay for only a few months. For several weeks these birds can be seen screaming in the skies above our heads. Quite suddenly we realise they are not there any more. The skies are quiet. They usually arrive here in late April and early May.  The arrival of the first swift is always significant for me.

The only time they land is to breed.  Numbers have fallen as their nest sites are disappearing. The RSPB is trying to encourage us to erect swift nestboxes to reverse this. I hope it succeeds.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swift/

Swifts (birds) - NOT amateur radio

What a difference a few days make! Earlier this week I was pleasantly pleased to see a single swift. Now they are one of the commonest birds in the sky. First you hear the screams, you look overhead and there is a flock of swifts. They only stay a few months, but what a joy!

Then they were gone - NOT amateur radio

Until a few weeks ago, the skies were filled with the sound of swifts screaming overhead. Then, one day you realise they are no longer here. A few stragglers may still be around. Indeed, we saw a single one in Norwich as few days ago, but most have flown south after warmth and insects. They fly thousands of miles returning next April or May. To me the sound of swifts overhead is archetypal English summer.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swift/

Swifts - NOT amateur radio

It is now August 3rd and I have not noticed the swifts (birds). During May, June and July they are a very common summer migrant. They feed and sleep on the wing. During August most fly south. Suddenly we look up and notice they are no longer there. A few stragglers may stay a bit longer, but most will have started their long journey south. They usually return in late April or early May.

To me, their antics on the wing and their screams are part of an English summer. Safe travels and I hope to see you next summer.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swift/

Swifts - NOT amateur radio

Today, I saw my first swifts (birds) this year. They migrate up from Africa, returning in August. The only problem was these were in northern Portugal! What is amazing is these could be the very same ones we see in our village stopping for a "pits stop" to re-feed before flying on northwards. When I see swifts I think summer.

Swifts gone? - NOT amateur radio

Not seen swifts (birds) now for a while. Most have probably flown south. The odd straggler may still be around. Swallows can be around for a while yet here in the UK. Swifts leave quite early.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swift/

Disappearing swifts (birds) - NOT amateur radio

About this time of year, swifts start to fly south. For a few months they are part of the British summer. They sleep and feed on the wing. The screaming swifts are a common summer sound.

Then you realise they are not here. I am sure we'll see more still, but they are moving south. By early September most will have gone. They winter south of the Sahara in Africa.

Funny how I treasure the day when the first swift of the year is seen. To me, it is a sign that life goes on. This year we seem to have had fewer swallows and house martins. Luckily here swift numbers have held up. Several people have erected swift nest boxes.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swift/

Late, late swifts - NOT amateur radio

Quite unexpectedly, a couple of swifts were seen in the sky above us as we ate tea in the garden this evening. Also, some young swallows were seen, but usually these are around for few more weeks, whereas most swifts have already gone south.

It would not (now) entirely surprise me to see swifts in early September. A few weeks ago I'd have said impossible.

Swifts (birds) - NOT amateur radio

Well, I thought they'd all gone now until next year. As this evening was so nice, we had tea in the garden. 6 swifts were on the wing high above us. These may be northern birds passing through, but it made my day.

Swallows and house martins usually stay until well in to September, but there are few locally.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bird-and-wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/s/swift/