Swifts 2005

After a generally windy and wet May, two pairs of swifts laid two eggs each in boxes 1 and 2. Nest building continued after the eggs had been laid, particularly when local farmers were forage harvesting on windy days- the disturbed grass being blown into the air meant an abundance of airborne nest material. The eggs were frequently left unattended for several hours in early June due to a cold start to the incubating period- presumably the adults struggled to keep themselves alive at this time. However with the arrival of warmer weather the incubating duties settled down so the eggs were constantly kept warm. Perhaps due to the early cold period just one egg in each nest hatched. On 11th June box 3 was occupied by a pair of non breeding swifts which visited frequently throughout the summer often indulging in display flights near the nest site. This pair eventually left on August 2nd 2005 . We were treated to dramatic fly pasts by up to eight birds just inches from our bedroom window.

The two breeding pairs raised a chick each. I was fortunate to see the fledgling in box 1 make its first flight on the morning of August 1st. It flapped frantically to gain height but soon flew as beautifully as the adults which it joined above the house. After about two minutes it headed north and was lost to my view. The other chick in box 2 left on August 8th. In both cases the adults departed as soon as the young had fledged. One adult from box 1 which, was roosting alone, left in the pitch dark at 11.30pm on August 1st.