Burton Swifts - June 25th 2021 and week

 

Our next Swift Meeting is next Friday 2nd July 2021 at 8pm at the Burton Memorial Hall (everyone welcome). 

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. 

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. 

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

Royal - Main Building - return to back top corner

Royal "Cottage" front

Manor House

Burton Swifts - Friday 28th May and week

Shows the nesting history on the Manor House as at 28th May 2021

(Click over to enlarge)

This photo shows the confirmed nest sites from tonight in Red whilst it also shows a "expected but not as yet confirmed" in yellow. 

(Click over to enlarge)

Friday 28th May and week

We met for the first time what seemed ages. The Swifts seemed happy in the skies above, occasionally we would see small screaming parties on the chase.

We checked out the Post Office building but never saw any Swifts going into the old established nest site, but what we did see was quite unbelievable with two Jackdaws at the same time going into the nest site which the Swifts normally use. That hole must be big!

We stood at the bottom of Cocking Yard and as soon as we arrived a pair of Swifts came hurstling down the yard with haste, it was obvious there was plenty of activity. Jane has already been able to confirm nesting taking place again at the Hangings Farm site and that will make it every year since 2013 to our knowledge. 

We left there and stood to the rear of the Royal and close to the new development. Lots of aerial activity, but high and although the Swifts dipped down and approached nest sites they never took any up whilst we were watching. It is thought that at least 3 nest are being used on the rear of the Royal. One on the annexe, one on the return of the annexe and one on the main Royal building to the far left hand side.  We are not aware of any of the new sites having been taken up as yet. 

We stood for a short time to the front of the Royal Cottage and although there were birds low and noisy but seemed to turn away at the moment of reaching the scaffold.  We did not see any enter the sites.  Although one was recorded going into the front of the Royal cottage before they put the scaffold up. 

Last check of the evening was looking over to the Coaching House and the Manor House. We saw no activity on the Coaching House, but lots of activity on the Manor House. A bird was seen entering a long established nest site on the gable end at about 3/4 way up on the front side.  Also another was seen to enter and leave at the large hole on the gable to the bottom front corner (the one the Starling normally defends), Also we had another one confirmed on the front of the Manor House to the immediate left hand of the drainpipe on the front elevation. Plus lots of false attempts were made to the annexe building about one foot away at the gutter level from were it joins to the main building, we do think that nesting could well be going on here. Also lots of "banging" going on and we do think that this could have involved several maybe immature birds.

The main count of seeing birds together would be 11 has seen whilst we were at the Royal, but its more than probable that we do have about 20 birds presently in the skies over Burton. There seemed to be about 6 birds clinging to the Manor House areas, 11 over the Royal areas as best we could count.

Present: Branwyn, Hugh and Sue, Mary, Bryan. 

Our next meeting will be on Friday next 4th June 2021 at the Memorial Hall meeting up at 8pm. Everyone welcome.

FRIDAY 21ST MAY 2021 WEEK - Our Burton Swifts activity....

 

Our Swifts are back!!

The Swift group are meeting up on this coming Friday 28th May at the Memorial Hall at 8pm, please feel free to attend.

Friday 14th May Week - Our Burton Swifts Activity

 

Monday 17th May 2021

0900hrs - 20 mins at least 6 Swifts flying low over the building site at the back of the Royal and looked to be enjoying themselves screaming away has they chased one another. 

Friday May 14th 2021

2000hrs for just 20 mins - 1 bird seen flying high over Kings.

1500hrs approx it was noticed that building scaffold has now been erected to the front of the Cottage and the Chimney stack.

Friday May 7th 2021 Week (Swifts arrival day)

Wednesday May 12th 2021

2030hrs for just 20 mins - 4 birds around the Kings/Boon Town/Manor.  One bird to make a false attempt at front of Royal Cottage then a few seconds later made another attempt and bird was successful and still in their 5 minutes at least (see photo above)

Tuesday May 11th 2021

2030hrs for 20mins just 3 birds flying between Memorial Hall and Kings areas.

Monday May 10th 2021

2000hrs for 30 minutes nothing showing over village tonight.

Sunday May 9th 2021

1930hrs Watching 4 birds circling mainly above the Royal Hotel. One bird to be seen entering one of the old established sites on the rear of the main building. (see photo above)

Saturday May 8th 2021

At first I only had 3 but after half hour the numbers had increased to seven birds seen high above Neddy Hill and the Memorial Hall.  Lovely to see other Swift watchers out and about including May, B and Jamie and Edward. 

Friday May 7th 2021

The first three Swifts have arrived when checked out at 1930hrs (Friday 7th May 2021) and were enjoying the skies over the Royal towards the Kings.

Even better one of the Swifts went into it's established nest sites to the rear of the Cottage annexe on the Royal (see photo above) 

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Showing Dalton houses - Oakwood Homes which are the New Builds at the rear of the old Royal Hotel and built by our own local builder Graham Wilson

Updates: 23rd March 2021

Now been informed of even more good news in regards to planning and Swifts etc at Burton. Plans SL/2019/0359 - New builds North of Boon Town, Burton.  Condition 11 within the planning permission stipulates "that two swift bricks" on each of the 18 properties.

Also: New developments up on Vicarage Lane will also have Swift bricks incorporated within the newbuilds

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Dalton Houses - Oakwood Homes - Royal Hotel development

We are indebted to the fabulous work carried out by our local Burton builder Graham Wilson, who is well on the way with his latest building project.  Already completed are the first of the Dalton Houses which are part of the Oakwood Homes project.  You can see two of the properties in the photos below.  But what is so special for us is that Graham has been prepared to listen and act on our calls asking him if he was prepared to consider placing Swift homes within the new project and sure enough he has been kind enough put two sites in the front of the buildings and six in the gable end (as shown in the photos below).  There are already lots of Swifts well established in the close area from the old Royal Hotel which Graham is also developing, so it is now hoped that the birds will also take on the additional nesting sites. On behalf of all the Swift lovers a great big thank you...

(above and below) Shows two of the newbuild houses which have 8 Swift nest sites built internal with 2 on the front and shown by the red arrows and a further six nest sites built within the gable end and again shown with red arrows in the next photo. 

(above) shows another four newbuild house during midway through the build

(above) Shows the two finished houses to the left and the half built houses to the right taking a delivery of ready mixed concrete. Also shows some of the plant and pile of building stone.

(Below) we have now been given some really great photos by Graham Wilson the builder (taken by Howard) and these show several views of the internal construction of the Swift nest sites.

Photo 1: This photo shows the nest bed with the timber nest hole template just sticking out, this was removed once the cement was set and later the slate roof would be applied to enclose the nest site. (see the finished nest site on the 3rd photo down. 

Photo 2 (above) This is yet another photo which shows the actual nest base within the cavity, the entrance is about 6" below this flat stone. This as you see it here was later slated over to form the roof of the nest enclosure. (see next photo)

Photo 3 (above) this photo shows the nest site on completion with the roof of the nest site formed with a slate across the top.  If you look 6" below you see the "wooden template" inserted to form the entrance hole. This template is then removed once the cement has set and the final pointing has been applied. 

And now below we have another construction of a further nest site

Photo 4 (above) This is now another nest site at the other end of the building and here you see the floor and sides have been made and it awaits the stone slab which will go over the top and form the roof. This is seen in the lower photos. 

Photo 5 - This photo again shows the floor and sides, but also shows the template inserted and cement and stones are then encased and the wood template is eventually removed once all cements are set and the final pointing to the face has been completed.

Photo 6 - Shows the nest site fully formed with the roof laid.  Once the final pointing has been applied the timber entrance hole template will be removed.

Photo 7 - Another photo which again shows the nest site fully formed with the roof laid.  Once the final pointing has been applied the timber entrance hole template will be removed.

Photo 8 - This is a final photo showing the entrance hole to the nest with the template now removed.

Swift Updates for 2020 (Early Days)

Unfortunately we are unable to organise Swift meetings this year because of the restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.

May I suggest for anyone who wishes to report any records that they use the power of the media to let others know of their sightings. If you want to send reports through to me via email (bryan.yorke@sky.com) I will gladly include within the site.

My intentions are to have exercise by walking through the Village occasionally and to briefly stop off at the usual Swift sites to try and get a rough idea of what is going on and then to post it on this site for the results to go public to anyone who wishes to follow.

Hopefully we shall have more details to report over the coming days.......

Please keep safe and well

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Click here Worth checking out - watching thousands
of Swifts departing today on 28th June - going South
past the headlands at Filey. 

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7th August 2020

2000hrs on 4 Swifts seen in the skies above Burton.

Also approx 1700hrs two Swifts flying over Clawthorpe Hall area presumed local.

0930hrs approx Been told by householder that they have again bred on both sides of his house in Riggs House in Cocking Yard.

0930hrs approx 25 Swifts over Burton In Kendal and presumed local by the regular chasing and screaming activity etc.

0900hrs approx 20 plus Swifts over Carnforth

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3rd August 2020
At least 30 Swifts at 0900hrs in the skies above both the Royal Hotel and the Manor House

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2nd August 2020

25 Swifts at 2030hrs in the skies above the Royal Hotel and Neddy Hill

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30th July 2020

2100hrs at least 25 Swifts in the skies above Cocking Yard, initially had equal 7 above Royal and 6 above Manor House, but on my way back home numbers had grown to 25 approx.

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Mid July 2020

Managed to see a bird entering a nest site to the left hand of the drain pipe on the front elevation.

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Thursday June 11th 2020

One going into the nest at Hangings Farm in Cocking Yard now confirmed, also another one going into a nest on the opposite side (thanks to Jane for these records)

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Tuesday June 2nd 2020

1000hrs: A bird seen leaving the roof eaves at the long established nest site on the Post Office Building. 

Cottages next to Post Office 
Click over to enlarge

Also showing the nest site one metre from LH side
on front of Royal Cottage

This shows the current nesting situation which we are aware of
Top left: One in small hole on rear of Royal annexe, and also one nesting on the small return of the annexe (both marked 2020). Also shows one nesting on the small extension to the back of the main building.  Also shows the one on the front of the Royal Cottage about one metre from LH.  And another on the small cottages at the side of the Post Office. 5 nest sites now confirmed.  

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Monday June 1st 2020

11 Swifts in the sky between the Memorial Hall and the Royal Hotel, also another 3 seen around the Coaching House and Manor House.

Lots of banging going on tonight with several Swifts attempting to land at the gutter levels on the front of the Coaching House, just one bird actually entered a regular nest site which was about two metres from the LH side. A Jackdaw saw this banging going on and came and sat on the plastic guttering and has the Swifts attempted going into nest site the Jackdaw tried to reach down and catch them. 

Lots more immatures banging on the soffitt areas of the No.1 property directly across from the Kings. 
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Wednesday May 20th 2020
2015hrs

6 Swifts in the sky between the Kings and Neddy Hill and back towards the bowling green.

2 Swifts went into the far top left corner of the Royal side extension.  Also another Swift went into the return on the back of the old cottage annexe, so that now brings the nest sites confirmed to 4 (all on the Royal buildings)

above shows the new recorded site tonight.  The site was confirmed to be used also in 2013

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Tuesday May 12th 2020

Only 2 Swifts on show tonight at 2000hrs over
Royal/Neddy Hill and Memorial Hall

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Sunday May 10th 2020

5 Swifts over back of Memorial Hall at 2015hrs
Extremely cold air

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Saturday May 9th 2020

Updates after one week (May 2nd arrival):

We have 9 Swifts back on territory SO FAR!
We are aware of at least 3 established nest sites being used SO FAR!

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Friday May 8th 2020 (VE Day) 

7 Swifts seen over Royal to Kings/Neddy Hill areas

And 2 Swifts entering nest site at the same time of the Royal Cottage rear annexe return

Shows todays record of nesting on return of annexe

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Thursday May 7th 2020

6 Swifts seen over Main Street, Royal Hotel areas at 2015hrs 

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Wednesday May 6th 2020

9 Swifts seen over Memorial Hall to Royal (increase of 2)
Also one seen going into the small nest hole on the rear of the Royal Cottage annexe.

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Tuesday May 5th 2020

7 Swifts over area to back of Royal Hotel at 2015hrs. Up to 4 chasing and screaming.

5 Swifts seen over Orchard Close/Morewood/Burton Memorial at approx 1600hrs


***1 Swift seen entering a nest site *** on the front of the old Royal Cottage at approx 1100hrs (per.comms: Branwen Kilburn

3 Swifts seen over Cocking Yard and Royal at 0814hrs (per comms: Jane Phillips)

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Monday May 4th 2020

2 Swifts seen above the Royal to Kings area at 1100hrs

Swifts this morning reported to be piling in-off the area of Bridport.

Over 70 Swifts (0930 to 1030hrs this morning through Nailsworth, Cotswolds, Glos .......

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Sunday May 3rd 2020

3 Swifts seen over Cocking Yard at 1615hrs (per comms: Jane Phillips)

3 Swifts flying together overhead of Orchard Close/Glebe Close areas
at 1400hrs

43510 Swifts counted coming through Etang de Canet - Saint Nazaire (Pyrennes Orientales, 66) Southern France - count over 9 hours from 0630 to 1630hrs

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Saturday May 2nd 2020

Our first Burton Swift arrived back with us at 1600hrs and was seen high overhead of Orchard Close.

Also a Swift seen (probably the same one) at 1945hrs above Main Street and again later at 2005hrs at the bottom of Neddy Hill (per comms: Phil Mann)


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Thursday April 30th 2020

Had my first Swift of the year today at 1500hrs passing overhead to NW whilst going passed Travellers Choice Coaches near Carnforth

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Burton Swifts - 2019 Summary

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) Hangings Farm and another - 4 pairs recorded

3.   Royal Hotel - Cottage - Front Elevation - 5 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 Manor House - Front of House- 1 pairs confirmed

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

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

10. Lowther House/Clawthorpe Hall - Rear of Lowther - 3 nest confirmed

Total nest sites recorded

24 nest sites in total confirmed (which is a decrease of 1 compared to 2018) 

Arrival and departure

The first Swift arrived back and was recorded 2030hrs above the Memorial Hall on Thursday 2nd May 2019, then 4 were recorded on the 4th May, 6 on the 7th May, 12 on the 12th May and up to 20 the following day the 13th May. 

We still had 40 Swifts around the village on Monday 29th July, this dropped to 35 on Wednesday the 31st July, 30 by Friday 2nd August and still 20 by Sat and Sun 3rd and 4th August, dropped to 10 by Monday 5th, to 3 by Tuesday 6th and the last count still showed 3 on Wed August 14th 2019.

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: 40 on Mon 29th July 2019 

Observers over the 12 weeks included: Mary Bullimore, Annabel Campbell, Reg Hesketh, Branwen Kilburn, Hugh and Sue Miles, Angela Sumner, Bryan Yorke

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

2019 site at the Cottages attached to the Post Office (1 site)

2019 sites within Cocking Yard (4 sites)

2019 nest sites on the rear of the Royal Hotel

2019 nest sites on the front of the Royal Hotel Cottage

2019 nest sites on gable of Coaching House

2019 nest sites on Gable and front and annexe of Manor House

2019 nest sites on Lowther House, Clawthorpe Hall



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 2020