Burton Swift Bird Study Group: September 2021

Saturday, 11 September 2021

2021 Summary for the Swifts

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 (front and back missing this year) Hangings Farm and Twain Cottage - 2 pairs recorded

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

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

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

6. Royal Hotel main building rear return - 1 pair

7. The Coaching House - Gable End (North facing) Nil recorded this year (2021 and the previous year also)

8. The Manor House - Front of House- 1 pairs confirmed

9. The Manor House - Front attached low elevation - non recorded this year.

10. The Manor House - Gable End (North facing) 3 pair confirmed

11. Lowther House/Clawthorpe Hall - Rear of Lowther - 3 nest confirmed (minimum )

Total nest sites recorded

18 nest sites in total confirmed (which is a decrease of 6 nest compared to 24 back in 2019)

Nest sites missing this year - compared to 2019

During 2020 only 8 nest were recorded but this was underecorded because of covid restrictions impacting on monitoring. So comparisons have been made to the next comparable which was 2019.

Riggs House (both front and back sites probaly not used)

Cottage, Royal (front elevation possibly two sites not used)

Coaching House (2 sites used in 2019 but not used in 2020 and again not used in 2021)

Arrival and departure

The first Swift arrived back at 2030hrs on Thursday 2nd May 2021, then 4 on 4th May, 6 on 7th May, 12 on 12th May and 20 on the 13th May.

The first swifts to leave us was late July and they left in trickles over the next fortnight. The largest concentration seen was 23 on 17th August 2021 (Angela)

2022 Additional nest site potential

Provision of additional 10 internal nest sites have already been built into the frontage and gable of the new properties recently built behind the Royal Pub. At least 8 of the nest sites were available for the 2021 season although none were used, however one of the sites was canvassed but not used. (other than two sites used by sparrows).

Planning of another 13 nest sites have been included within the planning on new properties to be built behind Boon Town.

A new property is currently being built on Vicarage Lane of which at least one internal nest box will be included.

Observers over the 12 weeks included: Angela, Branwen, Bryan, Mary, Reg, Branwen, Edward, Hugh and Sue, Jamie, Judith, Katherine, Matthew, Paul.

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

(above)The cottages next to the post office.

(above) Cocking Yard - Shows Hangings Farm, Riggs House and Twain Cottage.

(above) The Cottage - Royal Hotel - Front elevation

(above) The Royal - Cottage rear annexe and return

(above) to the rear of the main building

(above) The Manor House, Front and Gable and annexe elevations.

(above) Lowther House - Clawthorpe Hall - Ducketts

(above) Clawthorpe Hall - Ducketts Offices

Potential for 2022

Riggs House, Cocking Yard

(Photo of Riggs see above photo)

(above) The Coaching House

(above) nest x 2 at back of Royal

(above) Nest x6 at back of Royal

New building back of Royal - nest x 2

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