First Swift

Wild-Woman · #1 (**permalink**) 14-04-2009, 07:01 AM

I saw my first Swift of the year yesterday. I was busy watching 3 Red Kites from the patio at our son's house in W. Berks when in from the left entered a swift as if to say stop watching them I'm here now. It launched itself around the sky like a demented boomerang and tore off across the sky.
I also saw my first House Martin but that was much more sedate.
It's so good to see these spring/summer visitors returning. Hope they turn up in force this year.

Ruth Daniel · #2 (**permalink**) 14-04-2009, 07:47 AM

Always lovely to see the first of the Summer's Swifts isn't it?

I love to hear them screaming through the village.......one of my "nature's favourites"!

RoyW · #3 (**permalink**) 14-04-2009, 05:33 PM

Congratulations Wild Woman!

The earliest Swifts usually tend to turn up around now but most won't be here until the first days in May.
Forget Swallows and Cuckoos - the arrival of Swifts is a real sign that summer is around the corner (as is the emergence of the first dragonflies!).

ChrisJB · #4 (**permalink**) 14-04-2009, 06:09 PM

Oh you lucky thing. I can't wait for my local ones to return. Usually sometime during the first five days in May. My local House Martins aren't back yet either. They arrive between the 15th and 22nd of April.

Regards, Chris

tameblackbirds · #5 (**permalink**) 14-04-2009, 06:14 PM

i'm so worried about the swifts returning this year as the street that they nest in the council have replaced the roofs!!

ironic really really probably done to cut down co2 in atmosphere but at the same time effecting the wildlife anyway

Wild-Woman · #6 (**permalink**) 14-04-2009, 08:33 PM

Thanks for your comments everyone. I do count myself lucky seeing it. As I watched it, I had this sense that swifts just fly for the shear joy of flying.

Think I might come back as one.

kiltoncomp · #7 (**permalink**) 14-04-2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Thanks for your comments everyone. I do count myself lucky seeing it. As I watched it, I had this sense that swifts just fly for the shear joy of flying.

Think I might come back as one.

i think you may be right about the swifts and their sheer joy of flying

its great to sit outside on a summers evening just before dusk and watch them playing tag around the house at high speed, and shrieking like a gang of small children at play

cant wait for them to arrive back at our house again, we may get a few more this year as most of the other houses have had new plastic facia and soffits installed, so we are one of the few house on our road where they are still able to nest,

Brian.