Spring bird migration highlights - 6 May: Swifts everywhere
Post categories: Migration news,ÌýSpringwatch
| 15:53 UK time, Friday, 6 May 2011
We promised the mass arrival of swifts in the last migration blog post. Judging from your response and the they'reÌýswooping in allÌýacross the country now and already investigating nesting sites. If you haven't yet seen any screeching overhead then get out there this weekend and start looking!
Ö÷²¥´óÐã Wild Week Live, our friends over in Northern Ireland, a couple of days ago. They've since disappeared, leading the team to hope that "the last two weeks was not 'our summer'."
In the south of England Maricat spotted them on 29 April in Richmond, Surrey, whileÌýJan saw them in Winchester even earlier (22 April). In Portsmouth, Jadelyn above their house yesterday.
Poor JayneT, however, still hasn't seen any in her east London neck of the woods. She says that last year they were there a week ago. Maybe she could borrow some of Locomountaineer's. Yesterday he reported there were "".
Over in our neck the woods - the West Country - Springwatch producer Colin Jackson's above his house near Bristol. Knucklehead, in Shepton Mallet in Somerset, wondered if the pair he spotted on 3 May investigating nooks were the same ones as last vear.
Further north, Wingwatcher saw his first five of the year in Ashton-on-Mersey in Cheshire also on 3 May, 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." In Totley in Sheffield, .
In Scotland, Blackbird reported loads of swifts at Seacliffs near North Berwick way back on 12 April. Much later on Craftygreenpoet and in Caithness on 3 May penib saw their first. "Only noticed them as it was a lovely sunny day with blue sky and we were sitting outside (for a change!)"
You can keep an eye on more swift sightings on and please keep telling us here or on if you see them. Use the hashtag .
But last week wasn't all about swifts. The BTO's Paul Stancliffe reports that migration has progressed rapidlyÌýthis week. It's "been much more visible at coastal watchpoints, not so much with grounded passerines but with the strong visible passage of waders and seabirds," he says. "Six thousand passed Portland Bill. seem to be everywhere on the east coast and there have been some impressive movements of terns."
But it could be slowing down. "The only species left to arrive in any numbers are spotted flycatcher and nightjar," he says. "These are traditionally our latest migrants. Not that migration is over once these birds are here. Birds will continue to arrive for at least the next three weeks or so."
Bee-eater © Sue Gough/BTO
Rarities had a bit of an eastern flavour this week, he says. There were " on Fair Isle, a rustic bunting at Spurn and a at Minsmere. continue to be found at new sites, and there have been several fly through on the east coast."
So what's going to happen next week? "With south and south-easterly winds forecast for this weekend we can expect more swifts, waders and seabirds, particularly on the south and west coasts, big movements of are possible and could well be accompanied by the first big movement of Manx shearwaters."
Eyes to the skies everyone.
Comment number 1.
At 6th May 2011, englishcondor wrote:the swifts of gloucestershire are back saw many screaming low over the old buildings will be checking them everyday now
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 6th May 2011, pen309 wrote:I saw my first swifts today for 2011. It is wonderful to see them back again. Reminds me of my beloved Mum.(now no longer with us) She was so happy to see the swifts back again each year in May.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 7th May 2011, dottydahlia wrote:Just seen and heard the swifts again, I wondered where they had got to. Such a lovely noise.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
At 7th May 2011, Lavenderally wrote:The swifts have returned to my area in Bolton yesterday. It always makes me happy to see them return. Their screeching is the sound of summer to me.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)
Comment number 5.
At 7th May 2011, Lillian wrote:Saw our first swifts today in Coventry; what a lovely sight
Complain about this comment (Comment number 5)
Comment number 6.
At 7th May 2011, wingwatcher wrote:Ever watchful,with permanent crick in the neck.The swifts that arrived in Ashton-on -Mersey on the 3rd May promptly disappeared until this afternoon, the 7th,about 8-10 strong with the very familiar screams of summer.No sign of nesting yet,ever hopeful. Watch this space.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 6)
Comment number 7.
At 7th May 2011, reivergirl wrote:I am lucky enough to have my grandfather's nature diaries from the 1930s. His entry for May 3rd 1933 reads "most migratory birds here now, in some instances their arrival is a few days earlier than average". On 4th May he recorded his first swift of the summer.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 7)
Comment number 8.
At 8th May 2011, Nicola Main wrote:Saw my first Swift yesterday during a rainstorm in Carnoustie, eastern Scotland.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 8)
Comment number 9.
At 8th May 2011, lizk wrote:Just seen swifts for the first time in Cleveland (Billingham to be exact)9.30am Sunday 8th May hope this is the start of many , I love thes birds
Complain about this comment (Comment number 9)
Comment number 10.
At 8th May 2011, mandoos wrote:The swifts are back over blackpool lancashire. I look out for them every year. i am happy now.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 10)
Comment number 11.
At 8th May 2011, doogster wrote:At last, just spotted my first swift - was starting to develop a crick in my neck with looking up (lol) - im in the village of evanton, ross-shire, in scotland
Complain about this comment (Comment number 11)
Comment number 12.
At 9th May 2011, karl wrote:Saw my 1st Hobby of 2011 today in bedfordshire. Lots of swifts about.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 12)
Comment number 13.
At 9th May 2011, The Black Rabbit wrote:We've had our nesting pair in Berkshire, back since St.George's Day (23rd April) and I'm lucky enough to be filming them in our roof. Last night I recorded them mating in the nest (so rarely seen!). All videos can be found using the link below...
Thanks.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 13)
Comment number 14.
At 10th May 2011, birdingbarbara wrote:Saw my first swifts yesterday at Blackpool during a thunderstorm.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 14)
Comment number 15.
At 10th May 2011, martin lawes wrote:Yes this week 10 may swifts back again, the nest in above the conner of my lounge
in the loft can not get t it because right in the eves I was going to put cam this year but didn't get round to it so this year when their gone make a box that fit over the hole will have lights cam in it connected to tv and computer
Martin Aldershot Hants
Complain about this comment (Comment number 15)
Comment number 16.
At 11th May 2011, david lewis wrote:The first arrival of sand martins was seen at our Colliery in South Wales on the 4th April,they are nesting in a massive brick wall that as small drainage vents in it.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 16)
Comment number 17.
At 11th May 2011, Vianne wrote:We have had the joy of the swifts in the Northeast of Scotland for about 2 weeks now, they are an absolute joy to behold. We're in Lossiemouth and they seem to be loving it :0) V
Complain about this comment (Comment number 17)
Comment number 18.
At 11th May 2011, catherine wrote:Heard my first Cuckoo today whilst walking my dog in fields around Thornborough near Buckingham. Also found a fox's den with 3 cubs under an old shed in a field of sheep & lambs and also near a pond with plenty of ducks, clever fox eh!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 18)
Comment number 19.
At 12th May 2011, winnie_the_newt wrote:Saw my first swifts of the year on a trip to Brampton (near Carlisle) on Monday May 9th but then on Tuesday 10th saw more local ones, first in Longtown (North Cumbria) and then in Canonbie (Dumfriesshire).
Complain about this comment (Comment number 19)
Comment number 20.
At 12th May 2011, shezandnez wrote:we have seen our first pair of swifts this evening flying over the allotments at the back of our garden, in boston lincs, my husband tried to chase them with the camera but was not SWIFT enough............
Complain about this comment (Comment number 20)
Comment number 21.
At 12th May 2011, jmci wrote:we're serenaded every evening by a nightingale singing down our chimney
Complain about this comment (Comment number 21)
Comment number 22.
At 13th May 2011, sunnyfunnybun wrote:I am sadly well behind others poster; I saw my first pair of swifts in Mansfield, Notts yesterday, 12th May. Saw a swallow today though.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 22)
Comment number 23.
At 13th May 2011, Mel Sly wrote:Several Swifts over Seaburn, Sunderland on Sunday 8th May
Complain about this comment (Comment number 23)
Comment number 24.
At 13th May 2011, Sue wrote:Spotted a couple of swifts soaring around above the back garden here in Manchester today, not sure if they've been around a while but they've definitely arrived.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 24)
Comment number 25.
At 13th May 2011, Giddyone wrote:Saw my first pair of swifts of 2011 yesterday, overhead at Mill Hill NW London, always a wonderful sight & sound,welcome back!!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 25)
Comment number 26.
At 13th May 2011, mysticshrimp wrote:The tiny acrobats arrived in Chelmsford today. They whoosh through my townhouse garden like miniature fighter bombers. Delightful. Saw swallows before Swifts this year in Essex, but the best bird round these parts is the elegant Little Egret.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 26)
Comment number 27.
At 13th May 2011, Sue Porter wrote:I've been out and about in North Yorkshire. I saw swifts and a bar-tailed godwit at Wheldrake Ings on 2nd May. Heard my first cuckoo and saw sandmartins at Stavelly Nature Reserve on 25 April. I'm always pleased to see the migrants returning.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 27)
Comment number 28.
At 13th May 2011, Kate Gwillym wrote:Our swifts returned on 3rd May 2011, (South Moor, Stanley, Co.Durham.). They come at about this same time every year and nest in our house eaves. I have been observing them for over 30 years in this location. The earliest I have seen them was 26 April 2008 and the latest return was 18 May 1987, the spring following the Hurricane Charley (possible connection as swifts depart at the end of August?).
Complain about this comment (Comment number 28)
Comment number 29.
At 13th May 2011, marinamaz wrote:I've been hearing the swifts for at least 10 days in Staverton, Wiltshire
Complain about this comment (Comment number 29)
Comment number 30.
At 13th May 2011, Brock wrote:10th May; first Swift of the year seen over where I work in Leicester. 11th May three flying high, one at lunchtime skimmming low over tree line-canopy. Yesterday one seen and today four or five seen. Brock.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 30)
Comment number 31.
At 13th May 2011, sywell15 wrote:No sign of the swifts in Wellingborough as yet, are they waiting for the warm weather to come back
Complain about this comment (Comment number 31)
Comment number 32.
At 14th May 2011, M Birchall wrote:Swifts noted in Adlington (Lancashire) by 11th May
Complain about this comment (Comment number 32)
Comment number 33.
At 14th May 2011, Rachel wrote:Spent happy times watching the swifts as they caught their supper in Casablanca two weeks ago and now they've been here in Leicester since last week
Complain about this comment (Comment number 33)
Comment number 34.
At 15th May 2011, Molls wrote:Heard a cuckoo today. Really pleased as we didn't hear one in our area at all last year. Swifts screaming overhead too and have been for a week or ten days. Also had a red kite cruising gracefully over the field next door.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 34)
Comment number 35.
At 16th May 2011, Slimz76 wrote:I saw my first swifts this year in Preston, 9 May, over Ashton, at 0840.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 35)
Comment number 36.
At 16th May 2011, castro wrote:I heard a cuckoo today for the third time this year and I am so excited. The location was near Ettington in Warwickshire and the time was about midday.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 36)
Comment number 37.
At 18th May 2011, kingfisher wrote:Swifts and swallows here, but where are all the house martins?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 37)
Comment number 38.
At 18th May 2011, englishcondor wrote:this may be a bit off topic but I was looking at something on the internet about the lifetime banning of gun licences belonging to hunters on Malta and I was wondering will it happen or is this a rumour.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 38)
Comment number 39.
At 20th May 2011, skel wrote:Anybody know when the springwatch webcams will be up and running.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 39)
Comment number 40.
At 21st May 2011, Mark wrote:Why is this year's Springwatch starting so late? Spring has been and gone. I think the clue is in the title...."Spring" Watch.
Surely there can't be any blue tits nesting this year, I live in Cheshire and we had them nesting weeks ago.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 40)
Comment number 41.
At 22nd May 2011, SUNNYLITTLEBEAR wrote:I saw my first Swifts last week in Filey & Sand Martins too. I only ever seem to see them whilst I am on the east coast. We get lots of Swallows & House Martins so it makes a nice change to see the Swifts from our Caravan window.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 41)
Comment number 42.
At 23rd May 2011, jeztorrance wrote:@skel, we're aiming to have them up and running on Thursday afternoon.
@Mark, Springwatch is always on this time of year - the second bank holiday of May. It's the best time to get loads of action in one place.
@catsRmurderers, just about to put a new post on the blog which will answer your question about house martins!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 42)
Comment number 43.
At 5th May 2012, Joode wrote:I suddenly saw two swifts over our village (Leafield Oxfordshire) 2 days ago on the 2nd May in the evening. The weather was overcast and cold. I have not seen them again. We used to have so many here in the village, but last year there were so very few.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 43)
Comment number 44.
At 5th May 2012, Pedro wrote:I haven't seen any of the following in Devon so far this year: House Martin, Swallow or Swift
Complain about this comment (Comment number 44)