Andy Adcock
Worst person on Birdforum
This is the week when they arrive here in Notts but I still haven't seen one.
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The annual 'whose got Swifts' thread (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Andy Adcock
- Start date
MJB
Well-known member
Nor me. Still haven't heard or seen any Common or Lesser Whitethroat, but hedges and deciduous scrub still lack any leaf cover in many places, but recent rain and warmer weather at the end of the week should improve these matters. Lots of deciduous trees are also still almost leafless and forest understorey remains stunted (apart from Alexanders Smyrnium olusatrum, of course along the back roads).
MJB
PS Smyrnium olusatrum is an edible herb, and grows vigorously in early spring, reducing verge biodiversity, but road verges probably contain vehicle fuel residue. A treasured feature of medieval monastery gardens, it was brought to UK in the Roman era (another thing the Romans did for us)...
Xenospiza
Distracted
I would expect the Swifts to arrive pretty much as normal.
Despite the coldest April in 35 years and continuous northerly winds, the first Swifts arrived at a normal time at my German location. I saw some 300 on 30 April. That said, I have seen very few birds in my neighbourhood yet because they are sticking to their favoured fouraging locations (a whopping 1.5 miles away)!
Common Whitethroat arrived as normal and is now present in good numbers, but Lesser Whitethroat was really late (maybe 2 weeks behind).
Despite the coldest April in 35 years and continuous northerly winds, the first Swifts arrived at a normal time at my German location. I saw some 300 on 30 April. That said, I have seen very few birds in my neighbourhood yet because they are sticking to their favoured fouraging locations (a whopping 1.5 miles away)!
Common Whitethroat arrived as normal and is now present in good numbers, but Lesser Whitethroat was really late (maybe 2 weeks behind).
NoSpringChicken
Well-known member
I saw my first Swift over the garden here in Gorleston, Norfolk on May 3rd. Last year it was May 2nd. The poor thing was battling against gale force winds.
Ron
Ron
Jon Turner
Well-known member
2 on the second of May and another one today here in North Devon (just like everywhere else it's cold).
foresttwitcher
Virtually unknown member
First Swift on 1st May in the Chilterns but only a single and none seen since; Common Whitethroat have been here for more than a week now.
StephenHampshire
Well-known member
10 days ago (25/4) saw a large mixed flock of Swifts Swallows, Sand and House martins on a late afternoon walk. They were feeding over one of the local watercress beds here in Hampshire and also skimming the adjacent fields, and the swallows and martins were also perched in groups on the power lines overhead. Not seen a swift over the house yet.
Attachments
Victor Vector
Well-known member
Raises hand....Vaux's Swift, Southern California 4/30/31
ignicapilla
Well-known member
My first swifts this year were over a week ago in Bucharest (common swift). Before that I also saw two swallows a few days before.
Hi,
First seen on April 25 ... near Cologne, so there's the realistic possibility these were yours! ;-)
About 30 of them feeding over a tributary of the Rhine on a sunny afternoon. Next day a single one over the town where we have a resident population, but it might have been a migrant since I haven't seen any again since then. Not that I get to spend as much time outside as I'd like to!
Regards,
Henning
First seen on April 25 ... near Cologne, so there's the realistic possibility these were yours! ;-)
About 30 of them feeding over a tributary of the Rhine on a sunny afternoon. Next day a single one over the town where we have a resident population, but it might have been a migrant since I haven't seen any again since then. Not that I get to spend as much time outside as I'd like to!
Regards,
Henning
Andy Adcock
Worst person on Birdforum
Put your hand down Victor, that's not a Vaux's Swift, looks more like a Tree Swallow?
Andy Adcock
Worst person on Birdforum
Still none here, it's really chilly and we just had sleety, snowy rain out of a blue sky!
Jabberwocky
Well-known member
Saw a couple at Redgrave and Lopham Fen on the 28th and another at North Point Pools, Wells Next the Sea yesterday.
At home the first one arrived at 1155am on the 4th, it was wet and very windy and the bird did three circuits of the garden before entering the nest box with a camera fitted. It remained there until early yesterday morning. Last night it was joined by it's mate. This morning has been cold and very wet and so far both birds remain in the box.
1130. One bird just left.
At home the first one arrived at 1155am on the 4th, it was wet and very windy and the bird did three circuits of the garden before entering the nest box with a camera fitted. It remained there until early yesterday morning. Last night it was joined by it's mate. This morning has been cold and very wet and so far both birds remain in the box.
1130. One bird just left.
stuartvine
Well-known member
Swallows a week ago over the Thames near Kingston. Swifts, Swallows and House Martins at Frensham Great Pond (Surrey) 2 May.
Jon Turner
Well-known member
A decent flock of about 40 over the local marsh this morning. As always, lovely to see.
No Swifts in Aberdeen yet. Normal arrival time would be in the next few days, although it's been very cold this week. Weather should be getting warmer, so maybe a chance they'll be here soon.
