Chimney Swifts! (1 Viewer)

Chickadeedeedee

Well-known member

• Jul 5, 2009

• #1

HOORAY! :t:​

The distinct chattering of Swift chicks is coming from the larger of our chimneys! We were afraid our chimney was abandoned this year because we haven't had any ~guests~ in the house (a good thing) and no sounds from the chimney.

In fact it was Kramer who alerted us of the Swifts by mimicing the chicks' chattering. :-O

Now we need to be on heightened alert for any birds who may drop in for a cuddle. :t:

 

Pam_m

Well-known member

• Jul 5, 2009

• #2

How sweet, Lydia! Hope the chicks do well!:t:

 

palval147

Well-known member

• Jul 5, 2009

• #3

I hope the chicks manage to stay up the chimney this year, Lydia.
Are they easy to put back or have they, by then, reached an age when they can be safely released?

 

Chickadeedeedee

Well-known member

• Jul 6, 2009

• #4

So far we've only had either the adults or fledglings come for an up close and personal visit in the house. They seem to stay well put in their nests as chicks.

The chicks are soooooo loud, one can hear them when outside!

 

BazR

bazr

• Jul 6, 2009

• #5

Those Swifts are no fools; they know which house to pick. With all the love and care that you show to your friends, who can blame them. Please keep us updated.

Baz.

 

Screech

Well-known member

• Jul 7, 2009

• #6

Lucky you Lydia, haven't seen a swift in about 2 years. :C:

Must be here at the lake somewhere but not when I'm scouting for them.

Enjoy

Bob B

 

B

bill moss

Well-known member

• Jul 8, 2009

• #7

Hi Lydia,

Great news. Hope all goes well.

I know we are talking different species (and areas) here but apart from one sighting that I went for deliberately, I haven't seen a Swift at all this year.

Bill

 

palval147

Well-known member

• Jul 8, 2009

• #8

They have been flying around my house here, Bill & at my Mothers. Sorry to hear you haven't got any Swifts.

 

Pam_m

Well-known member

• Jul 8, 2009

• #9

I had about 20+ go over the house on Monday afternoon. they seemed to be heading away from the dark threatening clouds that produced thunder and lightning within minutes! Normally I get 4-5 screaming over the garden. Super birds, I will miss them when they go again.

 

BazR

bazr

• Jul 8, 2009

• #10

I've had a few over an around me Bill, and there were a lot around Bempton last week, but generally numbers do seem well down.

Baz.

 

Chickadeedeedee

Well-known member

• Jul 8, 2009

• #11

bill moss said:

Hi Lydia,

Great news. Hope all goes well.

I know we are talking different species (and areas) here but apart from one sighting that I went for deliberately, I haven't seen a Swift at all this year.

Bill

Click to expand...

Ahhh there you have it. Yet another reason why you should come for a visit.
Never mind the creepy crawlies, flying and biting insects, temperatures well below Absolute Zero or above 104F, the snow the hurricanes ....

 

Chickadeedeedee

Well-known member

• Jul 8, 2009

• #12

Opened the flu and looked up the chimney this afternoon. One Swift nest with approx. four chicks or more. They were very cranky that we disturbed them. Will attempt a photograph too.

OMG! Based on the noise generated we thought for sure there were multiple nests!

Later today we'll look up the other chimney.

 

M

Mannix

Well-known member

• Jul 8, 2009

• #13

It's great having swifts in your house, I made some holes in our eaves and we have two pair nesting this year. I can hear the chicks chattering when I wake up in the morning as one nest is right above our bedroom window.

 

P

Peewit

Once a bird lover ... always a bird lover

• Jul 11, 2009

• #14

Hi Lydia

How did I miss this thread. Shame on me :eek!:

What a lovely story of the Swifts. They will be well looked after by you and yours. Kramer will be your look out too. o

Let us know how they progress over the coming months. They are soo sweet and very couragous little birds, with a life that is adventure packed. :gh:

Regards
Kathy

 

B

bill moss

Well-known member

• Jul 11, 2009

• #15

Hi Lydia,

You make it sound so tempting, can't think what's holding me back (chuckle).

Bill

 

Chickadeedeedee

Well-known member

• Jul 12, 2009

• #16

bill moss said:

Hi Lydia,

You make it sound so tempting, can't think what's holding me back (chuckle).

Bill

Click to expand...

Nor can I Bill!

Look who dropped in this morning to up the ante ... ... and a cuddle.

She was actually *quite* cranky and chattered at me when I took her from the window above the washing machine. Perhaps she's wasn't so keen for a cuddle after all! :-O She's also the only Swift (so far) who was not docile and placid. She was busy and needed to go! She had a photo shoot, a quick cuddle and a kiss on the head and off she went through the back door.

The African Grey Parrot, Pepper, was introduced to the Swift briefly before release. The parrot watched her take flight and away ... She looked at me and asked, "What the heck?!?!?" LOL! :t:

 

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P

Peewit

Once a bird lover ... always a bird lover

• Jul 12, 2009

• #17

Hi Lydia

Now that is an interesting picture of a chimney Swift - the colour tells it all

My OH said the bird looks fierce in your picture, and a lot bigger than the Swifts that we see in the UK.

Kathy
x

 

Chickadeedeedee

Well-known member

• Jul 28, 2009

• #18

I guess I could post these photos in Today's Visitors thread. :t:

This *handsome* gent was in the basement above the washing machine not 15 minutes ago. He was very cooperative and allowed me some photographs. Lookie how specialized those tail feathers are!

Poor guy. I picked him up and he closed his eyes ... no doubt thinking this was the end. He got a quick kiss on top of the head, a chin stroke or two and he perched on my finger. I opened the door ... he opened his eyes and must have stayed on my finger for a full minute! He couldn't believe he wasn't breakfast. He turned his little head and flew off to join his friends. :t:

 

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palval147

Well-known member

• Jul 28, 2009

• #19

I can't believe he didn't try to fly away, Lydia, while you took those pics. His eyes are wide open in the last one, well the eye you can see anyway. Super photo's.

 

B

bill moss

Well-known member

• Jul 28, 2009

• #20

Hi Lydia,

So that's what they look like close-to. Do remember that the only one that I've seen was flying around over a valley in Cornwall and looked like 'a cigar with wings'.

I wonder whether it COULD have taken off unassisted from that surface?

Kathy, they are much smaller than our Common Swift (14cm long to 17cm long) but have long wings in relation to body length. The other identification is a very short blunt tail (hence the 'cigar'). Also they appear to fly rather more like a bat than a bird because of very rapid wing-beats.

Bill