Comm Swift Project

[mark smyth]

here's a swift cam showing large chicks ready to fledge
http://www.schulen.regensburg.de/hhgs/?http://www.schulen.regensburg.de/hhgs/projekte/mauersegler/mauerseglercam/

[mark smyth]

After a week of miserable weather we woke this morning to perfect clear blue sky. This urged the local birds to get in the mood

[mark smyth]

checking boxes last week I found these in two. Remember swifts can only gather what is carried by the wind

[Armin]

Mark,
interestingly, just last weekend recognized the first time ever swifts in the sky of my home town. Only a few in number, 7 to 10 max., were hunting together with hundrets or more swallows and house martins in the early dawn.

Maybe this were just young ones from 1st breeding generation who have already left their nest?
I couldn't find out their nest location(s) - they are simply too quick. Want to observe more the next weekend...

[mark smyth]

it's thought that once out of the nest the young head straight for Africa. Young in Germany may still be in their nests. It takes 5-6 weeks for swifts to rear young from egg laying. They arrive from Africa is late April or early May, lay approx 10 days later. That works out that should should be out or getting ready

[mark smyth]

about 10 minutes ago mum and dad left the nest to take part in the aerial displays so I dashed up the ladder to see what was happening in the box ...

[Susan Band]

Mark, I know you are a very proud dad, but that is one ugly baby you have there.

[fermi de Sousa]

all babies look like that....except to their parents!
cheers
fermi

[mark smyth]

high five to Fermi! but yes they are ugly chicks and one of the ugly duckings of the bird world. This weekend I'll try to get a better photo of them

There was an intruder yesterday afternoon but when you have flown for up to 5 years non stop you're not brave to enter a nest box.

Also mum or dad with a throat pouch crammed with food midjudged the entrance to the box and aborted the landing at the last moment

[mark smyth]

Scottish swifts are having a very bad time. Here's an email to the Swift Group

"Dear Swift friends, I have just spent a week in rain-lashed Scotland,
visiting Glasgow, Ailsa Craig, Edinburgh, Skye, Harris, Lewis and St
Kilda. In all that time I saw no more than 8 Swifts, all in the
Glasgow - Edinburgh lowland area. Population losses of Swifts in
Scotland have been recorded as being about 65% over the past ten
years I believe, largely due to the refurbishment of old properties,
and the demolition of many old sites. Not such a good place at
present for Swifts! Best wishes, Edward"

[mark smyth]

What if every Scottish SRGC member put up a few swift boxes on their homes where they are suitable.

[Anthony Darby]

I've seen dozens of swifts, but they don't seem to come near my boxes.

[mark smyth]

Patience Anthony! It took me three years. How often do you watch?

[mark smyth]

7 days later the chicks look like this. And some more prospecting swifts - sorry boys and girls no rooms left come back next year!

[mark smyth]

Once the sun hits the boxes the photo quality goes up a little

I found two pairs nesting nearby under the flat roof of a mobile room or whatever is the correct term