Burton Swift Bird Study Group: May 2018

Friday 25 May 2018

Burton Swifts - Thursday 24th May 2018 and week

Thursday 31st May 2018 - Over Burton Memorial Hall 2100hrs

After coming out of the Hall after watching a fabulous presentation on Bats given by Gail Armstrong, I then counted 15 Swifts in close proximity high over the Hall, Post Office building, so I guess we may have quite a lot back now! hopefully tomorrows Swift night will give us a better indication.

Burton Swift watch on Thursday 24th May 2018 - from Burton Memorial Hall at 2000hrs to 2145hrs

We did count a approximate total of 15 birds in the sky but could well have been more, there were lots of excited chasing parties seen tonight at both ends of the Swift corridor, constantly going past whilst screaming away obviously enjoying the abundance of low insects. It was a fabulous watch and we were able to establish that all but one of the Manor House sites are currently being used (six sites in all)

Sticking with the Manor House we were very concerned at one point when we had already seen a Swift enter one of the regular gable end sites (the same site confirmed only last week), and this was quickly followed by yet another Swift into the same nest hole, but the 2nd Swift gave the appearance that it was stuck at the entrance and seemed to be doing contortions with a single wing which could be clearly seen sticking out and sort of twisting around as though it was struggling for movability. What made it even worse was we then saw yet another Swift trying to get in the same entrance, but this was seen to abort on several occasions simply because the hole was blocked off by the earlier bird. After observing for almost one hour at this site we thankfully did see the bird eventually come out followed by the other one, so all was well after the event! Through all this commotion it did give us all chance to do a more complete study on the situation at the Manor House and we found that we witnessed that six sites on the property were being used. We only have seven booked off so we are doing really well on the Manor, almost to capacity.

Tonights observers included: Mary Bullimore, Mrs. Judith Ellis, Mr. Edward Ellis, Hugh and Sue Miles, Bryan Yorke.

Manor House Swift Sites tonight 24th May 2018 (Click over photo to enlarge)

The next Swift watch will be next Friday 1st June 2018 - Meeting at the Memorial Hall at 2000hrs - Everyone Welcome

Friday 18 May 2018

Burton Swifts - Thursday 17th May 2018 week

Thursday 17th May 2018 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal 2000hrs to 2045hrs

We counted at least 7 Swifts which at times were flying together chasing and screaming between the area of the Memorial Hall and the Royal. Then we had a further four Swifts flying between the Kings and the Manor House making a approx total of 11 birds.

We managed to witness a pair going into the gable end of the Manor House has marked off on the photo below. Also we did see a further pair of Swifts leaving a property just west of the Manor House, this would be a further new site to us.

Observers were: Reg Hesketh, Sue Miles and Bryan Yorke.

Manor House Swift sites (Click over to enlarge)

The next Swift watch will be next Thursday 24th May 2018 - Meeting at the Memorial Hall at 2000hrs - Everyone Welcome

Thursday 3 May 2018

SWIFT UPDATES 2018 (Early Days)

Saturday 12th May 2018 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal

(1945hrs) 16 Swifts flying above Main St with 12 flying between Memorial Hall and over the Royal with two of these seen to enter nest holes in the rear annexe to the Royal. Also a further 4 at least flying over the area between the Manor House and the Kings Arms.

Friday 11th May 2018 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal

(2015hrs) GOOD NEWS! At long last we now have 15 birds in the skies over Main Street between the Memorial Hall to the Manor House.

(0945hrs) Just had two birds which came from out of the front elevation eaves at the Royal Cottage. One single seen earlier high above Neddy Hill could well have been one of these birds - not sure, but the skies were rather birdless this morning.

Thursday 10th May 2018 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal

(2000hrs) A definite 8 Swifts (possibly 10) flying between Memorial Hall and Boon Town

Tuesday 8th May 2018 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal

(2000hrs) Just two Swifts seen high above Memorial Hall.

(0700hrs) At least 6 Swifts high above Royal to Memorial Hall areas

Monday 7th May 2018 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal

(1530hrs) 6 Swifts over back of Royal/Cocking Yard area as seen from Bowling Club (via Hugh and Sue)

(1300hrs) 3 Swifts chasing one another and screaming at the back of the Royal Area.

(0600hrs) Just one swift seen around the Royal area

Sunday 6th May 2018 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal

(1930hrs) Two birds flying around the Royal rear elevations. Then watch has both birds went into a old nesting site we have down from a few years ago on the rear of the side elevation of the main building which goes up Boon Town Lane (witnessed from up near the Bowling Green facility) the birds both left the area after about 20 seconds or so. No more birds reported.

Saturday 5th May 2018 - Main St, Burton In Kendal

(2100hrs) One noticed flying low to the back of the Royal Annexe.

(1800hrs) Checked Main Street and no Swifts seen anywhere

(1045hrs) Still just two Swifts seen high over Burton Memorial Hall.

Friday 4th May 2018 - Main St, Burton In Kendal

(2000hrs) Just two Swifts seen high over Burton Memorial Hall.

(0910hrs) Two of our Swifts were seen to leave the upper eaves on the front LH to middle of the Royal Hotel. Both birds left simultaneously and were about two metres apart.

Thursday 3rd May 2018 - 1930hrs

First four Swifts are back in the village and witnessed at around 1930hrs. They were seen high to medium above the Manor House and the Royal Hotel Cottage. One appeared to enter the eaves to the LH front of the eaves on the Cottage but this was not confirmed.

The first Swift watch for 2018 will be next Thursday 17th May 2018 - Meeting at the Memorial Hall at 2000hrs - Everyone Welcome

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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