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.
