Checking out the Swifts down Main Street - Wed 2nd August 2017 - 2030hrs
11 birds in total recorded. One entry into front of Royal Cottage when going past on return one leaving Royal Cottage and quickly followed by another entering. A established site already recorded. (B.Yorke)
Checking out the Swifts down Main Street - Tues 1st August 2017 2030hrs
28 birds (minimum) hawking the skies between Memorial Hall and Manor House (B.Yorke)
Checking out the Swifts down Main Street - Mon 31st July 2017 2015hrs
24 birds hawking the skies mainly over Neddy Hill, Royal and Manor areas (B.Yorke)
Checking out the Swifts down Main Street - Sun 30th July 2017 2040hrs
34 birds mainly over Memorial Hall, Neddy Hill, Cocking Yard and Royal. Also even more birds down above the Manor House (B.Yorke)
Checking out the Swifts down Main Street - Sat 29th July 2017 2000hrs
7 birds to count (B.Yorke)
Burton Swift Watch - Thursday 27th July 2017 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal 2000hrs to 2045hrs
Well tonight was just amazing and we counted no less than 36 birds in one counting high above the Memorial Hall and Neddy Hill areas but there could well have been more in other parts of Burton, the skies were alive with Swifts everywhere! We all felt that perhaps many young birds must have joined the party or the large "ball" of Swifts which we were witnessing. At one stage we actually saw a group of no less than 18 birds in chasing procession and screaming as they went past us - high, some very high. Unfortunately the weather was not good and rain came in from 2030hrs so we actually curtailed our watch early, but what a fabulous spectacle.
It's obviously getting very close to the leaving dates and I do intend to try and get out daily to do a rough count and hopefully try and assess just how many are still with us in the skies. Its the only way to find out the actual depart days and then it is only a "indication".
We are still having a meet up next week because usually its during the first week in August that most of the birds will depart but like only two years ago the bulk of the birds decided to leave us on 28th July 2015.
Tonight's observers included: David Craig, Reg Hesketh and Bryan Yorke.
The next Swift watch will be next Thursday 3rd August 2017 - Meeting at the Memorial Hall at 2000hrs - Everyone Welcome