Swifts seem very early (1 Viewer)

teamsaint

Well-known member

• Apr 21, 2007

• #1

As I would have expected there have been small numbers of Swifts along the coast recently, but there also seems to be lots already inland, including a count of 37 over Romsey, Hampshire, as well as lots of other high counts from elsewhere. Is it just me or is this very early to see so many Swifts arriving??

 

Kentbloke

Ah, yes, well

• Apr 21, 2007

• #2

Still none seen over here teamsaint. My earliest record is the 22nd so I dont believe they are particularly early

 

Mike Feely

Well-known member

• Apr 21, 2007

• #3

I've only kept first & last records of migrants since Autumn 2003, and although this year is my earliest, it's only by a few days. Last few years as follows:

2007 - 18/4
2006 - 30/4
2005 - 27/4
2004 - 22/4

This time last year, i was really busy at work, and so didn't have much time to go birding, so that date was when i first saw one around my house (usually about a week after the first over water) and 2004, i lived in Leicestershire not Nottinghamshire.

Mike

Edit. Actually just looked at this list above after i posted it, i guess 9-10 days earlier than the last two years is quite alot. M

 

Last edited: Apr 21, 2007

W

Woodchatshrike

Registered User

• Apr 22, 2007

• #4

I had my first Swifts in Fife and P and K yesterday. This was a day later then last year.

 

S

s. james

Stephen

• Apr 24, 2007

• #5

My first (in Co. Armagh) was on 16th April. This was about a week earlier than previous years.

 

pianoman

duck and diver, bobolink and weaver

• Apr 25, 2007

• #6

Always worth checking very early Swifts for white bellies and general Alpine-ness...

 

S

s. james

Stephen

• Apr 26, 2007

• #7

pianoman said:

Always worth checking very early Swifts for white bellies and general Alpine-ness...

Click to expand...

The one I saw was high up and it repeatedly dived, twisting 360 degrees, and then rose again only to repeat the dive. I've never seen this behaviour in swifts before so it did make me think it might've been something unusual. Anyone any ideas about this?

Anyway the normal swifts were back a few days after I saw that one!