Burton Swift Watch - Thursday 29th June 2017 week 2000hrs to 2130 hrs
We met at the Memorial Hall at 2000hrs and watched the skies but throughout the evening the best count was only 3 birds in total which is without doubt the worst count we have ever had during all our watches over the past five years. We were all of the opinion that the majority of the birds had travelled away for feeding because we had seen Swifts in recent days feeding up over at Dockacres and Leighton Moss and it looks like the water areas are the hotspots for insects. But we do hope things improve soon.
Also we did manage to see two birds either leaving or arriving at their nest sites. On both occasions they were new sites for the year although we did have the sites on record and were long established regular sites. We had one on the LH side of the Royal Hotel Cottage and the other nestsite was on the Gable end of the Manor House close to the high wood purlin which you can see close to the top. Also a bird was recording leaving its nest site to the rear of the Royal. So a quiet night but still birds about and could easily be missed going in and out of the sites.
Tonight's observers included: Mary Bullimore, Reg Hesketh, Hugh and Sue Miles and Bryan Yorke.
The next Swift watch will be next Thursday 6th July 2017 - Meeting at the Memorial Hall at 2000hrs - Everyone Welcome