Burton Swift Bird Study Group: Burton Swift Watch - Thursday 2nd June 2016 and Week

Friday, 3 June 2016

Burton Swift Watch - Thursday 2nd June 2016 and Week

Swift Notes for Thursday 2nd June 2016 (Click over sketch to enlarge)

Wednesday 8th June 2016 - A quick visit to Clawthorpe Hall and to the Royal Hotel.

Just on the spare of the moment, with time on my hands I decided to go on behalf of the group and make myself known to the owners of Clawthorpe Hall, it was well overdue we have been talking about the site for such a long time but had no definite records until now. I was fortunate to meet Mr. Edward Duckett the MD of Duckett Building Services who own the buildings and explained to him about our group and showed him photographs etc. He was very interested and actually showed me the area where the Swifts nested.

He also showed me a staircase at the end of the building which every now and again he does have to rescue Swifts which have somehow managed to find there way from their nest site and somehow go through and into the building, in which case he catches them and releases them back outside.

Whilst there I actually saw six individual birds hawking the skies directly over the Offices and also I was extremely lucky to see a single bird go into the building which after ten minutes came out again, I have marked the nest site with a red arrow.

The Offices at Clawthorpe Hall where the Swifts are nesting (Click over to enlarge)
Note inset with a more close up view of nest site

On leaving Clawthorpe Hall, I then went over to the Royal Hotel on Main Street, here I did spend some time because it was superb with birds coming from all directions and low down chasing and screeching, absolutely enjoying themselves. I was fortunate to be able to record two more nest sites for this year now being used. Both sites are well known to us and have history. I have now marked off this years breeding sites with red arrows. This now brings the total tally of this years sites to 17

Todays nestsites included (8th June 2016) at the Rear of the Royal Cottage Annexe (Click over to enlarge)

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Sunday 5th June 2016 "Photo showing Kestrel carrying Swift"

Photo: John Brierley and posted on the Swillington Ings Group website Sunday 5th June 2016

Nothing whatsoever to do with our Burton Swifts, but still very interesting and it occurred somewhere in the North of England in the last few days, when it was witnessed that a Kestrel actually took a Swift in flight. I could have believed it if it had been a Hobby but would never think of it with a Kestrel! I am told by a friend that the photo is of a first year male Kestrel (immature from last years chicks).

Friday 3rd June 2016 "Cocking Yard"

Some great news as just arrived from Jane Phillips, which is confirmation that a pair are definitely nesting on Hangings Farm in Cocking Yard, this taking our total nest sites tally up to 14. Worries are now set aside because the property has recently had pointing renovations to the front elevation. We were so pleased to learn that the more recent occupiers of the property are Swift friendly people who were so pleased to instruct the builders to leave some holes to their previous nesting sites while this work was being carried out, which it is great to see they have now returned and are using at least one of their original sites.

Cocking Yard - Burton In Kendal (Click over to enlarge)

The site on Hangings Farm - The centre dark hole just under the slates
(photo: J. Phillips)

Swift Watch - Thursday June 2nd 2016 - Sites off Main Street, Burton In Kendal - 2000hrs to 2190hrs.

Last night we had more great Swift observations, and managed to add a further three nest sites to our records for this year bringing the total so far to 13 confirmed nest sites.

We confirmed a new site for this year on the small cottage on the Post Office Row. The site was also used last year (2015). Also this was to be the last site vacated with the final birds leaving Burton on 16th August 2015 (exceptionally late).

Moving on whilst briefly checking Cocking Yard and the rear of the Royal, we did eventually record more action on the front elevation of the Royal Cottage Annexe with a site to the right hand corner being used (already established last week). Also several birds were seen "banging" at various points along the guttering, so we could not make our minds up whether these birds were full mature adults or immatures of the first year. We also made particular note to one bird which did seem to enter a completely new nest site but only for a second before it flew off again. Because of this short encounter we decided to record it as a possible, but not to make any record at this stage.

Moving on past the Royal with nothing showing on the West side elevation, we moved further down Main Street to do our observations across from the Coaching House and the Manor House. Reg saw a Swift using a site on the Coaching House North side elevation quite close to the small circular window, a site which was suspect from 2015 when Tanya Hoare thought it was being used. Also the Manor House showed further activity with birds seen using both of our 2016 already recorded sites on the front elevation. But we were in for a extra treat with a further bird witnessed using the long established nest site which is near the base of the rake on the North elevation gable end, this was a new record for 2016.

Tonight's observers were: Mary Bullimore, David Craig, Derek from Kendal, Reg Hesketh, Hugh and Sue Miles, Bryan Yorke. We went on a little tonight from 2000hrs to 2130hrs and we all agreed to try and meet up again next Thursday at 2000hrs at the Burton Memorial Hall when all would be welcomed.

Here are up to date photos showing the nest sites activity tonight (the history of the nest site eg: previously used is also given)

Cottages adjoining the Post Office on Main Street (Click over to enlarge)

The Coaching House (Click over to enlarge)

Manor House, Main Street, (Click over to enlarge)

NEXT SWIFT MEETING: THURSDAY 9th JUNE 2016 - 2000hrs BURTON MEMORIAL HALL - EVERYBODY WELCOME

This is the blog belonging to the Burton Swift Bird Study Group who are based in the small village of Burton In Kendal, Cumbria. The group try to meet up at least once a week during the time the Swifts are with us, usually we meet on Thursday or Friday evening at about one hour prior to dusk to observe and make notes on our beautiful Swifts, recording their nest sites, monitoring their numbers and making general notes on their behaviour etc. We also where possible try to help builders and planners with suggestions and ideas in relation to Swift boxes or Swift nest sites prior to building renovations or alterations or new builds.

We are a small group of about eight people and we would welcome anyone who has a interest in Swifts and their behaviour to come along and join us. There are no fees, there are no chiefs, we are just a very keen small informal group who love to watch and study our local Swifts. We usually meet at the Burton Memorial Hall and the times will be posted on this blogsite but If you want further information please don't hesitate to contact one of the following group members.)

Reg Hesketh - email: rhofb@outlook.com

Jane Phillips - email: Janephillips@john-lewis.com

Swifts have been vanishing from our Citys, towns and villages by incredible numbers and this is why we feel the urgent need to observe and report our findings.

We are also affiliated to "Swifts In The Community" which is based closeby in Milnthorpe, which is a organisation reaching out to both North Lancashire and South Cumbria. They gather information on Swifts and forward that information on to the National database who are collating Swift numbers in preparation for ongoing surveys. Also "Swifts In The Community" produce leaflets which are freely given to Planners, Builders and any interested individuals who need advice on Swift nestboxes etc. They also promote local meetings and general swift awareness at local functions.

Besides our group in Burton In Kendal, there are other local active groups in Arnside, Silverdale, Carnforth, Yealand, Warton, Grange, Kendal and Sedbergh, who all gather information for the "Swifts In The Community" database.

Beside these areas already mentioned, SITC are also looking for Swift information from other areas and would welcome any enquiries from interested parties. Click over the link to reach their website which has all the contact details etc.

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Burton In Kendal Swift Arrival/Depart Summary Dates

2021 - Our first 3 Swifts were seen at 1930hrs on Friday 7th May 2021 and flying over the Royal Hotel. Increased to 7 birds on 8th May.

2020 - Our first single Swift was seen flying high over Orchard Close at 1600hrs on Saturday 2nd May 2020, 3 birds appeared the following day Sun 3rd May 2020. 7 birds on 5th May. 9 birds on 6th May. Our last recorded dispersal was on 7th August when 4 Swifts were seen over Burton.

2019 - Our first Swift was seen flying high over the Memorial Hall at 2030hrs on Thursday 2nd May 2019. Up to 4 birds on 4th May 2019. Increased to 6 birds on 7th May 2019. Up to 12 birds on 12th May 2019. Up to 20 plus the following day 13th May 2019. DEPARTURE: We still had 40 Swifts around the village on Monday 29th July, this dropped to 35 by Wed the 31st, 30 by Fri the 2nd Aug, and still 20 by Sat and Sun the 3rd and 4th Aug, dropped to 10 by Mon 5th, and to 3 by Tues the 6th and the last count still showed 3 on Wednesday August 14th 2019

2018 - First four Swifts arrived and were recorded at 1930hrs on May 3rd. Increased to 8 birds by May 10th and a further 7 birds arrived on May 11th bringing the total so far to 15 birds (counted). The bulk of our birds (at least 30/40) left in the early daylight hours of Sat 28th July 2018, then we were down to 20 by the 31st, then down to 14 on the 1st, 11 by the 4th, and 5 birds by the 5th and down to our last pair on 6th August. The last pair and their family left us on Mon 20th August 2018.

2017 - First arrivals 1700hrs on May 5th (6 birds). Increased to 10 birds by 1900hrs on May 6th. Increased to 15 at 1200hrs on 7th May. 17 on 11th May. Our first main departure was on Sunday 6th August 2017 when a good proportion of the birds left us. This was followed by yet a further large exit (20 plus) on Friday 11th August and a further eight birds on Sunday 13th August and since that date a single bird was recorded still on territory on 17th August 2017.

2016 - First arrival 1645hrs on May 3rd (single bird), then numbers to 9 on May 4th, increased to 14 by May 5th. A delay of further arrivals until May 22nd when at least 20 birds (total) were seen in the skies. 20 plus birds left us on 5th August, followed by another large departure on 15th and the final bird was seen entering a nest site on the Royal Cottage at 1900hrs on the 18th. It is presumed that this bird and the rest of the family left at sometime during the following day the 19th August 2016.

2015 - First arrivals May 4th - First departures (bulk left us on July 29th/30th), A further 10-12 birds left on Sat 8th August and the final nesting birds departure was recorded on 16th August 2015.

2014 - First arrivals May 5th and last seen August 8th (bulk gone by August 1st)

2013 - First arrivals May 5th and last birds seen August 8th (bulk gone by August 1st).

2012 - First Swift seen heading over Clawthorpe on May 1st - but village birds arrival not noted. Departure not recorded but was after July 27th when there were still 15 birds above Burton. I did see a gathering of no less than 50 birds over Morecambe Golf Club on 1st August 2012.

2011 - Five arrivals on May 8th - Departure somewhere around the 9th August 2011.

2010 - Swift arrival and departure not recorded