First Swift of 2025 (1 Viewer)

[Euan Buchan]

Whilst topping up my bird bath & feeders I heard my first Screaming Swift of 2025.

 

[WACCOE]

Saw my first on the 30th April a few distant birds at Fairburn ings.

 

[Richard D]

Last Friday for me. Few more since.

 

[Welsh Peregrine]

Not yet; up until a year or so ago they were always back by 1st or 2nd of May!

 

[kb57]

Still waiting in Newcastle, hoping they reach my partner's swift boxes again before I return to Portugal later this month. The cold northerly then easterly airflow we've had here following the warm spell might've put them off coming up here, but it's considerably warmer today.

 

[aeshna5]

Had my first 2 over the house on April 26th.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

My first were on 1st May, which is about a week earlier than normal. They've not been around that much since however, with just one seen until today. Today it's a bit warmer and more have been around. This is about the normal date for the main influx to begin here.

 

[JTweedie]

Rarely do I see any before 6 May. Most of my first sightings are in the second week of May, so hopefully not long to wait now.

 

[Georgebirds]

I saw two at Deeping Lakes (southern Lincolnshire) on the 3rd.

 

[JTweedie]

Just had my first of the year - two directly over my flat around 10 minutes ago.

 

[gerald762]

I am not boasting, this is for comparison. At any time there are 10-20 swifts circling near the house. If you use binoculars the numbers are not countable . At least a hundred. A lot of Pallid swifts included, and Swallows and House Martins as well.

 

[kb57]

Common swifts back in Newcastle on Tyne yesterday, screaming party of 4, and a bird returning to the regularly used box at my partner's place. She confirmed this morning that the other recently opened up box beside it had been occupied by the local tree sparrows..

@gerald762 for comparison with Huelva, I saw my first common swift this year on 23 March in the Alentejo, a week later than last year (16 March) when I had my first near Tavira - later arrival not surprising given the wet spring this year.

 

[gerald762]

Common swifts back in Newcastle on Tyne yesterday, screaming party of 4, and a bird returning to the regularly used box at my partner's place. She confirmed this morning that the other recently opened up box beside it had been occupied by the local tree sparrows..

@gerald762 for comparison with Huelva, I saw my first common swift this year on 23 March in the Alentejo, a week later than last year (16 March) when I had my first near Tavira - later arrival not surprising given the wet spring this year.

Unfortunately I didn´t write down the date of the first arrival! Next year I will be more prepared.

 

[Jabberwocky]

First one roosted in the camera nest box on the 1st. It was joined by another on the 3rd. This morning the 1st egg was visible as they left the box after a prolonged mating session.
The most I've seen so far was a group of 4 screaming over the roof. Usually we have 4 pairs, 2 in boxes and 2 under the pantiles.