Spring bird migration highlights - 28 April
The wind's finally moved out of the south and into the north/north-east so it's been a much quieter week for migration.
But there's exciting things to come. During the next day or two we can expect the mass arrival of swifts, according to the 's Paul Stancliffe. Their arrival is surely one of the highlights of spring migration. As he says : "It seems that all of the UK's swifts arrive on the same day, or two." The only thing that might stop them, he thinks, "is if the northerly winds become too strong." Let's hope for a calm one then.
As if to confirm his prediction, we've just had news that five swifts were seen moments ago round the corner from the Springwatch office. We've had sightings on the blog too: Juli Okayama saw her two swifts of the year patrolling the sky in High Barnet, North London on 23 April; while paulatunny in Tunstall, East Yorkshire reported swifts there on 25 April.
Back to last week. The coastal watchpoints and observatories experienced some 'falls' (birds landing after migration). On in Dorset (where we filmed the Springwatch Easter Special) 500 were seen and, today, 200 willow warblers. The first have also arrived.
There were also plenty of those exotic overshooting migrants around last week. Several and graced our shores. There was a in Kent the week before last and more arrived this week (some good news about red kite numbers in the UK today). A (what a spectacularly well named bird) was spotted at Spurn near Hull and then in Lincolnshire.
Elsewhere a turned up in Dorset and a in Lincolnshire.
If you see any swifts or indeed any interesting wildlife this weekend we'd love to hear. We had some great sightings on the last post.
Update 3 May: Paul's just been in touch to say he underestimated the strength of the winds so the mass arrival of the swifts has been held up. He predicts it should happen over the next day or two so keep your eyes peeled.
Comment number 1.
At 28th Apr 2011, mark wrote:Hi,
Fantastic views of Purple Heron at Marazion Marsh near Penzance.
First Swallow this year-6th April.
Choughs flying and feeding well, under cliff at Lizard yesterday[27/4/11].
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Comment number 2.
At 28th Apr 2011, Barmar55 wrote:I was watching TV and then glancing out the window I saw the big black cat that roams around our village with a bird in its mouth (a blue tit in its mouth) So...
... I went out to the cat and gently pressed on his back so he lay down (on his belly) and then very gently I rubbed his neck until he let the bird go and then the bird flew away and surprisingly the bird was not badly hurt :-)
And after that I gave the cat a drink instead of it having a bird.
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Comment number 3.
At 28th Apr 2011, Juli Okayama wrote:Hey, I'm a male! :)
In addition, I also saw my first ever Wheatear at RSPB Rainham Marshes on the 20th April.
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Comment number 4.
At 29th Apr 2011, awesomemagpie wrote:Just say, our swallows are back.
they arrived yesterday.
april 28th.
that,s here at john o groats
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Comment number 5.
At 29th Apr 2011, LeeDingain wrote:I still haven't seen a Swift this spring, but there's been some excellent visible migration over the last couple of weeks with good numbers of Northern Wheatears and Ring Ouzels passing through, as well as warblers such as Blackcaps and Willow Warblers. I managed a nice shot of a migrant Yellow Wagtail at Staines Moor a week or so ago -
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Comment number 6.
At 29th Apr 2011, maricat wrote:Just seen my first two swifts of the year, riding the skies near Church Road, Richmond, Surrey. Summer begins.
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Comment number 7.
At 29th Apr 2011, Ann N wrote:Arrrrrrrhhhhhhhh, The Swifts that live in my roof have not arrived yet, and I'm in Hants!!! Where are they? if they have got as far as Surrey?
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Comment number 8.
At 29th Apr 2011, DorsetWildlifeTrust wrote:If you spot a Swift in Dorset - don't hesitate to send us your sighting for our "Swift Recording Project" at Thank you! Jane @ Dorset Wildlife Trust
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Comment number 9.
At 30th Apr 2011, rissyjames wrote:I have our house martins back, busy looking to find last years nest that the wrens knocked down after the babies fledged, they were so busy last year that they built 3 nests and what looked like a extra room as one was built almost on top of the other. we just love spring it is the best season without a doubt.
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Comment number 10.
At 30th Apr 2011, Libellule wrote:Just back from 3 weeks in Western France, including 2 weeks near migration hotspot Pointe de Grave, where the LPO count migrants crossing the Gironde. Swallows & swifts seem very late this year although yesterday's count results show 8000+ swallows crossing and 3000+ swifts:-
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Comment number 11.
At 30th Apr 2011, jan wrote:Saw my first swift of the year here near Winchester, Hants on 22nd April
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Comment number 12.
At 30th Apr 2011, kirsty wrote:Where are the swifts this year? last year they were here on 24th April but so far no sign of them in Northampton
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Comment number 13.
At 30th Apr 2011, kirsty wrote:Following on from my earlier posting, I think the swifts must have heard me because at 6.35pm I looked out and there were the first couple in the sky - what a fantastic sight
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Comment number 14.
At 30th Apr 2011, Ruth M wrote:Got really nice views of sand martins flying over me whilst I was down on the beach below my house, and also landing on the sand metres from me. I saw what was probably the same flock the other day and also barn swallows but not sure when they arrived as have been away and only got back this week. I was also amazingly lucky to catch a rare glimpse of one of the white tailed eagles in my area, which was topped off by the fact it was carrying nesting material!!!
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Comment number 15.
At 1st May 2011, Jen wrote:Heard a Nightjar tonight for the first time this year. Now it will really feel like summer:)
Near Wimborne, Dorset.
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Comment number 16.
At 1st May 2011, Vintagevix wrote:Lytham St Anne, Lancashire.
First swallows seen 23/4/2011.
First Swift seen 1/5/2011
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Comment number 17.
At 1st May 2011, Alan Matthews wrote:Swifts spotted at 19:40 hrs Alrewas Staffordshire
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Comment number 18.
At 2nd May 2011, grizzle greedyguts wrote:Spitfires are back over England - just seen 3 swifts over our back garden in Peterborough - wonderful sight!
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Comment number 19.
At 2nd May 2011, grizzle greedyguts wrote:also have a pair of coal tits nesting in a drain pipe, collared doves nesting between our chimney pots and a red kite eyeing up our chickens.
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Comment number 20.
At 2nd May 2011, Lillian wrote:I live in Coventry and myself and my husband have been waiting for the Swifts to arrive back; we have not seen any as yet (02/05). What's happening?
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Comment number 21.
At 2nd May 2011, Ash wrote:I live Aldershot; we have not seen any Swifts yet either. They have been coming back every year since my eldest was a baby (20 now) they are very late this year or maybe they intend setting up home somewhere else. Shame if they do, they do rather liven up the summer months in the garden flying past as if they are racing.
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Comment number 22.
At 2nd May 2011, Deb wrote:I heard my first swifts in Oxford (where I work) Tuesday 26 April. Saw my first ones in Cheltenham (where I live) today, Sunday 2 May.
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Comment number 23.
At 2nd May 2011, Ann N wrote:Still no Swifts in the roof am now getting realy worried, as I ususlly get up to 30 nesting in the roof, that a hell of a lot to just not turn up!!
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Comment number 24.
At 3rd May 2011, Claire wrote:10 days ago I heard 2 swifts screaming over the house but they must have moved on as they have not hung around. Still waiting for the East Belfast swifts to move in proper.
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Comment number 25.
At 3rd May 2011, rimo wrote:Don't panic about the non-arrival of swifts just yet - the average arrival date is around the 2nd May, so they're hardly worryingly late just yet!
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Comment number 26.
At 3rd May 2011, Biddy wrote:Saw my first swifts on May 2nd.
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Comment number 27.
At 3rd May 2011, penib wrote:Just seen a pair of swifts today 3rd May up here in Caithness. Only noticed them as it was a lovely sunny day with blue sky and we were sitting outside (for a change!)
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Comment number 28.
At 3rd May 2011, wingwatcher wrote:Our first five swifts seen today,in Ashton-on-Mersey,Cheshire, five days later than last year.For the last thirty years we have had up to five nests in our roof space, they are most welcome visitors.
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Comment number 29.
At 4th May 2011, Knucklhead wrote:Two pairs of Swifts arrived in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, around midday 3rd May & immediately comandeered the same nooks as was left last year. Surely they cannot be the previous occupiers or from the previous brood?
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Comment number 30.
At 4th May 2011, Sarah Gibson wrote:Swifts screaming over Oswestry this morning, in Ludlow last Saturday evening. See www.ludlow21.org.uk to find out about the Ludlow swift survey.
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Comment number 31.
At 4th May 2011, englishcondor wrote:no swifts or house martins yet near Cheltenham but plenty of swallows and sand martins near Tewkesbury
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Comment number 32.
At 4th May 2011, englishcondor wrote:i am glad that the update about the mass arrival has aid that is hasn't happened yet I was getting worried about the two colonies of swifts and house martins in my village now that lots of birds are getting shot in Malta especially turtle doves
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Comment number 33.
At 5th May 2011, blackbird wrote:Lots of swifts seen at Seacliffs near North Berwick on 12th April.
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Comment number 34.
At 5th May 2011, Annaodg wrote:On Saturday 30th April we saw our first swallow of the year in Stalham, Norfolk and today the swifts arrived in Ruislip gloriously noisy.
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Comment number 35.
At 6th May 2011, laystonlassy wrote:Just wanted to say Hi I'm new to this blog, love all our wildlife, and to say this morning I heard and saw our swifts for the first time this season, I'm hoping they will find their way back to the nest sites in our high street as usual, can't wait to see them close up, bombing up and down the street.
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Comment number 36.
At 6th May 2011, JayneT wrote:For the past few years I've noted in my diary that the swifts arrive in our area (near the reservoirs in East London) on 28th/29th April. This year we have not seen any swifts here to date. Lots of house martins over the reservoir and canal but no swifts.
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Comment number 37.
At 6th May 2011, Kim B wrote:Hello
Just get back from the allotment the Swifts are back in our village today 6th May. I'm in Suffolk.
Kim
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Comment number 38.
At 6th May 2011, englishcondor wrote:swifts have arrived in gloucestershire was on the bus and saw lots of them sceaming low over the buildings will be checking on them daily
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Comment number 39.
At 6th May 2011, englishcondor wrote:do swifts get killed in storms because there's a storm over my house
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Comment number 40.
At 7th May 2011, Daytona2 wrote:I heard my first Cuckoo of the year yesterday, 6th May in north east Hampshire.
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Comment number 41.
At 7th May 2011, Hammy42 wrote:Swifts arrived in croydon today
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Comment number 42.
At 7th May 2011, Ann N wrote:Finally the swifts arrived today and are tucked up safely in the eves. (Hants)
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Comment number 43.
At 8th May 2011, starsmum wrote:I've seen my first two swifts today here in the High Peak, Derbyshire
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Comment number 44.
At 8th May 2011, JayneT wrote:And I'm so happy to hear the scream of the swifts over the house again. Hooray, they're here at last and they sound so excited to have finally arrived at their destination in East London.
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Comment number 45.
At 8th May 2011, JayneT wrote:Heard about three nightingales last night at Fishers Green in the Lea Valley near Waltham Abbey, Hertfordshire.
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Comment number 46.
At 8th May 2011, Ash wrote:Swifts finally arrived yesterday in Aldershot, seems there are more than last year returning, not complaining. Good to see them back look forward to mornings and evenings of Swifts screeching passed our back garden.
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Comment number 47.
At 11th May 2011, vhitchings wrote:Valerie H
Sorry for delay in reporting - my husband heard a cuckoo at 6.14 a.m. at Fiskerton, Notts on Sunday 24 April 2011
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Comment number 48.
At 11th May 2011, Terri wrote:Terri
I've been hearing the cuckoo for about a week now ( i live very close to thetford forest) but yesterday morning i finally heard some reed warblers down by the river where i walk my dogs, we seem to attract more and more each year. Blink and you miss them though they don't stay long.
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Comment number 49.
At 12th May 2011, cath Paulley wrote:Anyone in Richmond area can go and see some lovely wheatears in Richmond Park. We've seen 3 over the past week, by Spankers Hill(sic) between the cycle path and the lake - there's a sandy patch with lots of rabbit holes. The birds are feeding and running around, and checking out the rabbits! Absolutely beautiful, and something I've not seen before, so a real thrill.
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Comment number 50.
At 16th May 2011, Hgriff wrote:Heard the Cuckoo 15-05-11 at Moira in Leicestershire, this is the first time not only for this year but also for many years
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Comment number 51.
At 9th Sep 2011, Steve Traynier wrote:Willow warbler © Andrew Haynes Photo is just amazing. In my area, i haven't seen all these tiny birds yet. Actually, the main problem with us is that we are very busy in our daily lives. We should make some time to see all these pretty beautiful God creations. Last Time, i had seen Swallows & swifts while i visited my friend's farm house. I hadn't camera that days neither i was very near to get a impressive shot of them. These days its worth to hand a camera with our selves, We can ever get a fantastic shots like you posted in this article. I have also posted many attractive photos of these bird over my [Unsuitable/Broken URL removed by Moderator]. I hope you would also like them.
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