Burton Swift Watch for 28th July 2016 week

Wednesday 3rd August 2016 - 2000hrs - Main Street, Burton In Kendal

I counted 24 Swifts high and screaming in the sky above the BMH to Kings areas

Monday 1st August 2016 2045hrs - Main Street, Burton In Kendal

I counted 36 Swifts high in the sky above the Kings area.

Sunday 31st July 2016 1000hrs  - Swift Reports

Yesterday (Saturday) David Craig reported seeing a good number of Swifts going along Main Street at 0900hrs.
Yesterday (Saturday) Bryan Yorke reports seeing one Swift entering the nest site on the Cottage on the Post Office Row.
Yesterday (Saturday) Anne Nicholls reports seeing 7 Swifts high above Tanpits Lane during the evening.

Friday 29th July 2016 - 1900hrs - Walk through Main St, Burton In Kendal and back.

Only saw two Swifts hawking the skies

Thursday 28th July 2016 - 2000hrs to approx 2100hrs

We are closing in on the time for our Swift departures which I would expect to be starting any day now.  Although yesterday evening we were treated to a fabulous spectacle of aerial performance by at least a minimum of 30 Swifts (probably could have been nearer 40!) in the air at times in congregation and at other times swirling around and chasing and screaming in smaller parties.  We really did see them at their best.  Impossible to tell if there were young among the numbers, although we thought so and that the screaming parties especially could well have been young birds.  It was wet and miserable weather during the watch but reports are coming through that in the next 24 hours the weather will change back to dry high pressure with the wind coming from the North West.  That will probably be music to the ears for the Swifts and give them that strong urge to start their journey all the way back to Africa.

We did manage to see birds see going into their nest sites both at the front and the rear of the Royal, so obviously there are still birds with young about.

Tonights observers included: Angela, Reg Hesketh, Hugh and Sue Miles and Bryan Yorke

Hope you manage to reap the pleasures of their last few days with us. PLEASE KEEP CHECKING OUT OUR BLOG....

NEXT SWIFT MEETING: THURSDAY 4th AUGUST 2016 - 2000hrs BURTON MEMORIAL HALL - EVERYBODY WELCOME

Burton Swift Watch for 21st July 2016 week

Tonight was probably the busiest night so far, with Swifts hawking the skies throughout the areas above Main Street.  We did manage to count 27 although we were of the opinion there could well have been far more.  They seemed happy chappies! with small parties of anything up to eight birds chasing one another in formations whilst screaming at one another. 

For most of the time during our hours observations some of the birds were very high, whilst others were low and just skimming the rooftops.

We did notice birds going in and out of their nest sites at the following areas: Cocking Yard, The Royal both front and back, and also at two nest sites on The Manor. 

Tonights observers included: David Craig, Reg Hesketh, Hugh and Sue Miles, Bryan Yorke and it was very nice to welcome Angela to her first Burton Swift Watch and also nice to have a brief visit from Mr. and Mrs.Vickery. 

NEXT SWIFT MEETING: THURSDAY 28th JULY 2016 - 2000hrs (Please note earlier time) BURTON MEMORIAL HALL - EVERYBODY WELCOME

Burton Swift Watch 14th July 2016 week

We did a rough count of Swifts in the air whilst we all met up at the Burton Memorial Hall and we did manage to get to around the 30 mark which is quite a high count.  It was clear that the feeding over Burton was very popular.

We then proceeded to Clawthorpe Hall to try and ascertain just how many birds were nesting there.
In addition to the nest already recorded three weeks ago, we were fortunate to also record two additional sites, one on the old Clawthorpe Hall property (now residence) and also one on the side elevation to the Duckett's Building Services Offices.  We now think that we have at least three pairs nesting at Clawthorpe Hall, although without doubt there is plenty of potential for more sites should the birds require it.

Not only are the Swifts doing well there, but there is also two or more pairs of Swallows nesting under the canopies of the converted properties, could well be more.

Another interesting spectacle was to see large numbers of House Martins above the site.  Maybe up to around the thirty mark.  We never witnessed any of them coming down to the viewing side of the property, so we are not sure whether or not they are actually nesting there or that they are visiting on account of a good feeding area.

It was a pleasure for all of us to meet Mr. Ed Duckett the owner of the property who is very positive to encourage the Swifts and hirundines around his buildings and we are so thankful for his kind efforts.  He has been able to make provision for the nesting sites within the converted buildings which was great to see and thus provides a safe home for the birds when they return each year from Africa.

We also had the privilege to meet Alice one of the nearby residents who told us how much pleasure she gets from seeing the Swifts, Swallows and Martins and also remarked "Where have all my Goldfinches gone"

Tonights observers were: Reg Hesketh, Hugh and Sue Miles and Bryan Yorke

(Photos to follow soon)

NEXT SWIFT MEETING: THURSDAY 21st JULY 2016 - 2000hrs (Please note earlier time) BURTON MEMORIAL HALL - EVERYBODY WELCOME

Burton Swift Watch for 7th July 2016 week

Thursday 7th July 2016  - Burton In Kendal - Swift Watch 2030hrs to 2130hrs

Tonight stayed dry and we managed to observe a approximate 20 Swifts in the air with almost 15 over the areas of the Memorial Hall to the Royal and another 5 or so over the Coaching House/Manor areas.  At times the Swifts would form small parties of six which would follow one another tight whilst screeching.

I have this morning been reading articles that state these are more than likely young birds taking on these actions.

Tonights observers were Reg, David and myself.  We have arranged to meet next Thursday on the Memorial Hall at the earlier time of 2000hrs and then we intend to go up to Ducketts and observe the Swifts on Clawthorpe Hall offices.

NEXT SWIFT MEETING: THURSDAY 14th JULY 2016 - 2000hrs (Please note earlier time) BURTON MEMORIAL HALL - EVERYBODY WELCOME

Burton Swift Watch for 30th June 2016 week

Thursday 30th June 2016 - Swift Watch - Burton In Kendal 2030hrs

It was dreadful weather with heavy rain and only Reg and myself turned up to meet at the Memorial Hall.  We stood talking for perhaps ten minutes and only saw one actual Swift in the air over Main Street.  We decided to call the watch off until next Thursday. 

NEXT SWIFT MEETING: THURSDAY 7th JULY 2016 - 2030hrs BURTON MEMORIAL HALL - EVERYBODY WELCOME