Burton Swift Bird Study Group: August 2018

Friday, 24 August 2018

2018 BURTON SWIFTS SUMMARY

2018 summary (below)

Nest site activity recorded at:

1. On the front elevation of small cottages adjoining the post office - 1 pair recorded

2. Cocking Yard - Riggs House and Hangings Farm - 2 pairs confirmed with others suspected

3. Royal Hotel - Cottage - Front Elevation - 7 pairs confirmed

4. Royal Hotel - Rear Cottage Annexe - 3 pairs confirmed

5. Royal Hotel - Rear Cottage Annexe return - 1 pair confirmed

6. The Coaching House - Gable End (North facing) 3 pairs confirmed

7. The Coaching House - Rear of building 1 pair confirmed

8. The Manor House - Front of House- 3 pairs confirmed

9. The Manor House - Front attached low elevation - 1 pair confirmed

10. The Manor House - Gable End (North facing) 2 pair confirmed

11. Clawthorpe Hall - Rear of Building 1 pair confirmed plus 2 more pairs highly suspected

Total nest sites recorded

25 nest sites in total confirmed (which is a increase of 3 compared to 2017) as a result of additional nest sites being found in both Cocking Yard (Riggs) and also new sites on The Coaching House.

Approx young raised this year would have been 25 x 2 making it 50 birds and allowing for a 20% loss would comfortably achieve 40 new birds this year. Also allowing for the parent birds at 50 birds (25 pairs approx) would bring a overhall total of adults and young to around the 90 birds.

Arrival and departure

First four Swifts arrived and were recorded at 1930 hrs 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). More birds joined them over the coming days.

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 August, 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 or thereabouts.

Highest number of birds counted in the skies at any one time

As usual the better counts came more to the end of the Swift season of which the highest numbers recorded were: 32 on the 12th July, 40 on the 27th July (preparing for lift off), and 30 on the 30th July.

Observers over the 12 weeks included:

Bert, Mary Bullimore, Judith and Edward Ellis, May and Reg Hesketh, Kathryn, Branwen Kilburn, Maggie, Sue and Hugh Miles, Angela Sumner, Bryan Yorke, and also by close association David Craig and Jane Phillips.

Below are photos showing the various nest sites with their histories marked in red (definite) and some with yellow (unsure)

Cottage on the same row as the Post Office building (Click over to enlarge)

Riggs and Hangings Farm within Cocking Yard (Click over to enlarge)

Front elevation of the Royal Hotel - Cottage (Click over to enlarge)

Shows both rear cottage annexe and also the nest on the return of same
Click over to enlarge

The sites recorded on the "Coaching House"

The sites recorded on the Manor House (Click over to enlarge)

Clawthorpe Hall nest sites (Click over to enlarge)

Thanks to everyone who came along this year and enjoyed the Swifts and I look forward to next year when we hope the birds will be back flying above our village from the 4th May 2019

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Friday, 3 August 2018

Burton Swifts - Thursday 2nd August 2018 week

Monday 20th August 2018 - (Although final observations made at 0715hrs on 23rd August 2018)

I think I can now safely say that our last pair of Swifts and their family will have departed today (Monday 20th August) or thereabouts on their long journey back to Africa, may they have a safe journey and we eagerly await their return on the 4th May 2019. A summary of this years report to follow shortly.

Sunday 19th August 2018 - Main Street

1645hrs One flying above Morewood and Burton Memorial Hall

Saturday 18th August 2018 - Main Street

1800hrs A pair seen above the village today (via Jane)

Thursday 16th August 2018 - Main Street

2000hrs One flying high above Memorial Hall

Monday 13th August 2018 - Main Street

2010hrs A single swift above Kings, Manor and Coaching House

Sunday 12th August 2018 - Main Street

2010hrs A single swift above Memorial Hall thought to have come from Royal

Thursday 9th August 2018 - Main Street

2030hrs a single bird above the Kings

Wednesday 8th August 2018 - Main Street

2015hrs 2 birds seen flying above Neddy Hill (Reg and Bryan)

Tuesday 7th August 2018 - Main Street

2030hrs 2 birds seen flying above Kings

Monday 6th August 2018 - Checking out Main Street

Ed Duckett has kindly sent in this photo which shows a "superlarge" collection of Swallows on the telegraph wires near to Clawthorpe Hall, there is well over one hundred and this has been going on now for a day or two. It's usually a sign of group collecting before their long journey, but its rare I have ever seen them collect so early, its usually more to the end of the month and early September.

Photo: Kindly shared by Ed Duckett (Click over to enlarge)

2120hrs - Two birds seen on the Royal. One came out from the front LH corner of the Royal Cottage and another was seen to enter the large slit on the rear annexe of the cottage. (both records were seen by Reg and May Hesketh.

2030hrs - Just a single bird above Memorial Hall.

0900hrs - Just a single bird seen flying above Kings

Sunday 5th August 2018 - Checking out Main Street

2100 to 2130hrs 5 birds flying high between Memorial Hall and Coaching House (Reg and May Hesketh)

2030hrs 4 Swifts seen between Neddy Hill and the Kings

0630hrs Just a single bird seen flying above Kings

Saturday 4th August 2018 - Checking out Main Street

2030hrs 11 birds present in the skies between Memorial Hall and Royal Hotel.

0930hrs 8 birds in the skies, 6 between Memorial Hall and the Royal with another two between the Kings and the Manor House.

Friday 3rd August 2018 week - Checking Main St

2015hrs 4 birds with two above the area Neddy Hill to the Square, and the other two were between the Kings and the Manor House.

Burton Swifts - Thursday 2nd August 2018 week - Memorial Hall to Royal Hotel

Our Swifts were much reduced to a maximum count of 14 birds which were very active with the best chasing/screaming party of six birds. Most of the activity was from above the Memorial Hall up to the Royal Hotel areas.

Birds were witnessed going into nest sites in Cocking Yard (either Hangings Farm) or possibly the property further along which has all the ivy covering. Also lots of activity on the rear of the Royal in all the regular sites eg: the return, the large slit hole, the small hole above it, and the very large hole above that. Also activity was witnessed on the front of the Royal Cottage with a bird entering the nest site to the far left hand side. Also chicks could be heard from one of the nest sites to the right hand elevations.

Tonight's observers included: Reg and May Hesketh, Sue Miles, Angela Sumner, Bryan Yorke

There is NO meeting this Thursday (9th August 2018)

Thanks to everyone who attended our weekly watches during 2018. A final summary of the "outcome" will be published on this site over the coming days

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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