Our next Swift Meeting is next Friday 2nd July 2021 at 8pm at the Burton Memorial Hall (everyone welcome).
Sunday 27 June 2021
Sunday 20 June 2021
Burton Swifts - Friday 18th June 2021 and week
Approx 2000hrs: Angela, Sue and Mary and Bryan (shortly) met at the Memorial Hall, although we only had about 3 Swifts flying around early on. I left shortly and not sure just how many the others reported, but soon as I hear anything will report it on here.
Sue said they had a Swift enter one of the main holes on the rear of the Cottage annexe and also had one entering the return. It looked like there were a couple of birds flying high above the Manor House.
Reg - did a watch at approx 2100hrs and managed to record at least 12 Swifts flying high.
Our next Swift Meeting is next Friday 25th June 2021 at 8pm at the Burton Memorial Hall.
Saturday 12 June 2021
Burton Swifts - Friday 11th June 2021 and week
It started off very quiet with only 3 birds seen at best, we called off at each nesting site and the only activity was when Matthew spotted one entering the old established site (eg: white stained large entrance) to the rear of the annexe on the old cottage building (rear). That means that all the 3 together nest sites here are being used.
We checked the other sites on our way up to the Coaching House/Manor House but very little activity, and on our way back things began to develop with more and more birds being seen and the best numbers we recorded were 11 birds.
We briefly stopped off at the front of the Royal Cottage and here we witnessed two nest sites being used. One was what I had already established back at the beginning of May. The other was further along (see photo above). Sadly the birds in the second nest were having difficulty entering the nest site because of obstacles having been placed on the scaffolding and partially obstructing their flightlines. The builder has been informed about the obstructions and a copy of the above photo so he knows were the nest are..
So far this season 10 nest sites established (1 added from tonight) Aerial Birds seen tonight = 11
Observers: Branwyn, Matthew, Reg and Bryan.
All three on the back wall of the Cottage annexe are being used
Our next Swift Meeting is next Friday 18th June 2021 at 8pm at the Burton Memorial Hall.
Saturday 5 June 2021
Burton Swifts - Friday 4th June 2021 and week
One of the Swifts flying high above the new Royal development yesterday evening (4th June)
Photo kindly taken and shared by Matthew
Friday 4th June 2021
Our group met up at 2000hrs at the Burton Memorial Hall.
We did manage a count of up to 14 birds at the best count, although it is suspected that there could well be over 20 birds in the village. So far 9 nest sites established see photographs below showing which sites.
One Swift was seen to come out of the eaves of the small cottage on the Post Office Row, this had not been recorded previous.
We then went on to Cocking Yard and we did not see any birds local although there were one or two flying high above the Yard. Jane confirms that they are breeding again on Hangings Farm. We did also see the resident of Riggs who says he has not seen any birds on his property this year whereby last year he did have two breeding pairs. He wondered if building is new extension on the back may have frightened them off. I very much doubt that because he had the extension done whilst the birds were away.
We then went over to the back of the Royal and managed to see one go into the larger top hole on the annexe building, again this is the first time we have seen this being used this year. Lots of ariel activity with chasing parties and screaming. None as yet seen using the new purpose build sites.
We spent some time checking out the front of the Royal, and did not have any going into the Cottage although we did see some making to the scaffold and then veering away at the last minute.
One really interesting observation which we have never recorded before, was that one swift came round and started banging just above were Mary was standing, it then veered off and would come around again and again doing the same at times with other Swifts present. In fact it got so close to Mary's head it became a little scary for her. I guess now thinking about it may well have been attempting to drive us off (which it succeeded in doing). If that was the case why? it may suggest that the bird is already nesting in the front of the Royal Cottage and we were putting it's approach to entry of it's nest site! I guess time will tell. But so interesting!!
We finished off at the Coaching House and Manor House, but we had no birds going into the nest sites although there were six birds overhead and quite a bit of noise generated. At one stage we could hear swift noises as though they were coming from somewhere on the gable end of the Manor House, but we could not see anything.
Observers: Judith, Katherine, Mary, Matthew, Bryan.
Our next Swift Meeting is next Friday 11th June 2021 at 8pm at the Burton Memorial Hall.
Another great Swift photo taken by Matthew
So far this year nesting is taking place at the following places:
Post Office Buildings
Royal - Rear annexe to cottage
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