Early migration of swifts, swallows & martins

[Kestevus]

I have noticed this year that the local swift population seemed to have vanished
in the last week of July, usually they are flying around my market town home until around the second week of August.
Anyone else noticed an early departure of summer visitors this year?

[tigertom]

Still go a few swifts about near me though thay may well birds from further north on the way south also still plenty of house martins some still with young in the nests dont have that many swallows so dont know about them.
mike

[Tringa]

I have not seen any swifts from the back garden (London) for about a week plus now.

Swallows are very uncommon here. House martins used to be annual visitors but we have not seen any for years; probably 10+.

Dave

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Kestevus

I have noticed this year that the local swift population seemed to have vanished
in the last week of July, usually they are flying around my market town home until around the second week of August.
Anyone else noticed an early departure of summer visitors this year?

Where in Britain are you?

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by Kestevus

I have noticed this year that the local swift population seemed to have vanished
in the last week of July, usually they are flying around my market town home until around the second week of August.
Anyone else noticed an early departure of summer visitors this year?

I think that you are asking the wrong question here - what you should be asking is "Why are Swifts usually present around my town so late in the year?".

UK Swifts will typically leave their breeding areas by the end of July, with only the occasional lingering individual + passage migrants from further north seen after that. If you are near the east coast you may be seeing passage birds in the first weeks of August.

Swallows, House Martins, and Sand Martins are still around, with some still breeding, but some of these will already be thinking of leaving (or may have moved short distances to good feeding areas).

[rossy]

observed a group of about 10 swifts today, whilst driving back from bury greater manchester, and 4 more flew over my house around midday, but house martins left 3 weeks ago , rossy.

[swallowsnest]

Yes, I too have noticed that the swifts left here in North Yorkshire at the end of July, which is a week or so early than in the previous two years. The first lot of swallows (counted about 60) left the first week in August and the second broods (about thirty) are all chattering on the wires looking as though they are ready to leave.The last ones left here on about the 26th September last year. Can they predict a cold autumn/ winter ahead?

[Tringa]

About 20 or so swallows and a few house martins at Flag Fen yesterday morning and probably 50+swallows (plus a few HMs) in the early afternoon at the Ouse Washes.

Dave

[aeshna5]

Still a few Sand Martins + Swallows at Minsmere yesterday + just before I left while having tea + cake 3 Swifts appeared just ahead of a front- within minutes the rain started, fortunately as we headed home.

Today 1 Swift at the top of my road as we waited for a bus + at Ruislip c20 House Martins by their breeding colony.

[KentYeti]

Swallows at Elmley were very active last night. And on Thursday night they mobbed one of the Juvenile Barn Owls I've been watching for over 6 weeks now.

Although I do think the Swallow numbers have reduced a bit. I supect what remain are the new families: one lot only fledged a week ago. Hopefully they will all be big and strong enough for the journey South before too long.

Cheers,

Bryan