My run of seeing Swifts every day above my garden lasted from 1 May until 13 August – I think that is 105 days. They were difficult to get on the last couple of those days – both times it took until late evening to see one. But none on 14 and 15 August and only occasionally since. We are into the dog days and that’s when the Swifts finally filter away from the skies above this rural town in east Northants. I’ll see them occasionally, particularly in the evenings, and perhaps into September, but they are drifting away on their scythe-like wings and there will soon be no point looking for them until late April and particularly early May when, I truly hope, they will become re-established as daily companions again for around 100 days or so.
I wonder what the Swiftless days of winter have in store for the world.
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A remarkable run of sightings Mark which perhaps suggests that swifts nest somewhere in your village?
For anyone interested in this special bird you might like to join the excellent Swift Local Forum which links over 90 local swift groups and many interested individuals across the UK. To join (it’s free of course) simply email [email protected] .