Friday 11 August 2017

Burton Swift Group - Thursday 10th August 2017 week


Friday 18th August 2017 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal 2000hrs

0 Swifts

Thursday 17th August 2017 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal 2000hrs

1 Swift - a single bird hawking the skies to the W side of the Kings.

Wednesday 16th August 2017 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal 2000hrs

0 Swifts

Tuesday 15th August 2017 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal 1930hrs

0 Swifts

Monday 14th August 2017 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal 2020hrs

0 Swifts - overcast with prolonged rain

Sunday 13th August 2017 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal 2040hrs

3 Swifts hawking the skies over Manor House, Kings areas - very high - dry and still evening.

Saturday 12th August 2017 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal 2030hrs

8 Swifts
in the skies above Neddy Hill and the Royal very high - fine evening.

Saturday 12th August - Main Street, Burton In Kendal 0800hrs

2 Swifts
over the Manor House areas also a group of 5 Martins behind the School. Again Overcast with the lightest of drizzle.

Friday 11th August 2017 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal 2000hrs

One Swift
hunting high above the Memorial Hall. Very overcast threatening rain.

Thursday 10th August 2017  - Main Street, Burton In Kendal - 2000hrs to 2100hrs

We noticed Swifts straightaway really high over the Memorial Hall and that is were they remained for most of the time of our observations.  The count started with about 10 birds but quickly accelerated to teens, latter teens and a maximum of 27 birds in the sky at the same time.  Almost on the hour the birds did move slightly towards the Neddy Hill and Royal areas and by the close of our counting time it was getting pretty dark.  Though we were treated to a special treat when we were priviliged to see a bird return to its nesting site at the eaves above the right hand window jamb stone of the Royal Hotel cottage.

It was great to hear from Angela of her records over the past couple of days, and the day before she had quite a good number of birds (late teens) at 2100hrs although much earlier in the hour I had only had the single bird on my quick stroll up Main Street.  So it just goes to show that you can be there one minute and see very little, but be there half a hour later and you can get birds in double figures having come into view or returned from outward foraging.

It is quite remarkable we are getting so many birds at such a late date and selfishly superb for the observers.  We have decided to call tonight's watch the last of the year although I will try and take a "rough" count over the coming days to monitor the outgoing birds best we can.

Also we all agreed that Reg would kindly ask Tanya and Edmund Hoare of Sedbergh if they will kindly come and put on their Swift presentation at the Memorial Hall (a date to be arranged for over the Winter months. Anne Nicholls and Barry Morgan of the Burton News will be in charge of the arrangements for the Memorial Hall and details will be given in the Burton News in due course.

Observers tonight included: David Craig, Reg Hesketh, Hugh and Sue Miles, Angela Sumner and Bryan Yorke.

A Summary and final report will be issued in a couple of weeks time when all the birds have gone.