Burton Swifts - Thursday 20th June 2019 week

Showing the "Cocking Yard" nest sites as of now

It's good news!
We are now up to 18 confirmed nest sites already..... 

Historic final end of season counts as follows:
2018 = 25 sites
2017 = 22 sites
2016 = 23 sites
2015 = 20 sites

We met up at the Memorial Hall, and counted at least 9 birds in the skies. After ten minutes we moved on and observed from the end of Cocking Yard were we witnessed birds going into the first property on the left at the established left hand corner entering the roof area by going behind the soffitt board. We first established this site last year and nice to see the site being used yet again.  We also managed to witness a bird going in and out of the Hangings Farm site, and also we kept seeing a bird entering or leaving the site to the right hand side of Cocking Yard 3/4 way up the Yard.  Peter a local resident of Cocking Yard also helped us by keeping a close watch on the nesting Swifts and was also able to confirm a couple of sites which we had questioned last year. This was a fantastic help to find out about these two sites and this now brings the Cocking Yard nest sites up to at least 4 on the cottage frontages.  We have also had indications that a pair may well be nesting on the rear of the first property on the Left but this has yet to be confirmed. 

Even more good news follows when Sue told us that she had seen birds flying in and out of the rear of the Royal Cottage, using all the four sites eg: 3 regulars on the annexe and 1 on the return.  We were still short of confirmation in regards to the large hole at the top on the rear of the Cottage, so this is also now confirmed. 

We moved on after a short check out of the Royal Cottage front were we had no birds for the short period we watched.

So we moved on to watch at the Coach House and the Manor House and we were delighted to be able to confirm yet another site on the gable of the Manor House, its a site 3/4 way up on the gable front side, just another one of the small hole sites which again can be confirmed now being used. We do have this site recorded each year since 2016. 
We did also note activity on the Coach House with definite sightings of a bird leaving from the eave level on the gable, but things seem to happen so quick that we could not be sure at just which point the nest site was.  We also thought that maybe a bird also was using a site on the rear of the property, but again no official confirmation. 

We also had a regular 3 birds flying together at times in the vicinity over the Coach House and the Manor House, this bringing the total seen in the sky to at least 12 birds. Little in the way of screaming parties tonight.

Tonights observers included: Reg Hesketh, Hugh and Sue Miles, Bryan Yorke.

Nest sites occupied so far = (18) plus probable 2 at Clawthorpe. 

Post Office Buildings (1)
Cocking Yard (4) maxed
Royal Cottage rear (4) maxed
Royal Cottage front (4) out of 7
Coach House gable and rear (1?) out of 4
Manor House gable, front and annexe (4) out of 6
Clawthorpe Hall Offices (?) seen 3 birds in skies overhead

The next Swift watch will be next Friday 28th June 2019 (PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF NIGHT FOR JUST THIS WEEK) - Meeting at the Memorial Hall at 2000hrs - Everyone Welcome  

Burton Swifts - Thursday 13th June 2019 week

We met as usual at the Burton Memorial Hall, it was dry and holding off but very damp all around. Obviously tonight was not the right conditions for the Swifts to be seen and we only had a single bird in the skies above the Memorial Hall and a pair in the skies above Coach House and Manor House. It is difficult to understand where the birds go when it's like this, do they go further afield to find food (which we think is the most likely) returning every now and again to their nest sites to pass food over, or is it that they are going high up to a point they cannot be seen!

We spent short periods on Caterpillar Walk trying to look over to the backs of Cocking Yard, because we had seen a bird which seemed to go down to its nest in that area (although we could not confirm), but did see the gentlemen who lives there and he told us that although he has not actually seen the bird go in to the eaves of his property, he thinks there is a pair present because he is hearing them scuffling about. 

We continued checking out at the rear of the Royal Cottage and pleasantly surprised to have two separate Swifts go into two of the sites on the rear annexe eg: the large slit on the corner, and the small hole just further up from the large slit. The skies had seemed empty but just now and again you get a treat! Nothing was showing on the front of the Royal Cottage elevation.

We quickly moved over to the Manor house where again we saw no activity although there were two birds in the skies which could have been from the Manor House or there again could have been from the Coach House.  We spent 15/20 minutes but never saw anything going into nest sites.

Observers tonight included:  Reg Hesketh, Sue Miles and Bryan Yorke

The next Swift watch will be next Thursday 20th June 2019 - Meeting at the Memorial Hall at 2000hrs - Everyone Welcome  

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Worrying news!

Below is a piece recently issued by the RSPB and put on the Rare Bird Alert web pages: 

Wildlife experts who work to save the UK’s dwindling Swift population are concerned at the late arrival of these birds, which nest here after spending the winter in Africa. Many Swifts have arrived up to two weeks late, and the RSPB has received numerous calls and emails from people concerned at their absence.

What might have caused this delay? Swifts would normally begin their journeys north from Africa in April. Their epic 6,000 mile journey is often fraught with hazards but weather conditions this year may have made migration especially difficult.

When the birds arrived in Europe, they were faced with serious climatic challenges. This year there have been distressing stories from Italy and Spain showing that Swifts, some of which may have been on their way to UK nest sites, have even been killed by storms and cold wet weather. Doomed to die of starvation and hypothermia, they have been trying to survive overnight by clinging to each other on walls to avoid the wind and rain.

Swift expert Edward Mayer, who runs the Swift Conservation website and free advice service, says “There has been some really appalling spring weather this year in Italy, France, Spain and the Balkans. Temperatures should have been in the 30s but were in the low teens, and much lower at night, with prolonged rain storms making things even worse. This suppresses the Swifts’ flying insect food, soaks and chills them - and can kill them”.

The unseasonably low temperatures in southern Europe will have made life even harder for these small birds desperately needing to refuel for the final leg of their journey. Then predominantly northerly winds have made flying north even harder.

Although these are extraordinarily resilient birds, Swifts that make it to the UK face further challenges. They typically nest under the eaves of houses but in recent years many of these spaces have been blocked up leaving the birds with the difficult task of finding somewhere new to raise their young during the limited time they spend here. The RSPB ran a campaign between February and April to encourage people to make new homes for them, by buying either a specially made nestbox or making one of their own.

“Swifts have huge public support in the UK” says Jamie Wyver, the RSPB’s Swift Lead. “Our supporters and social media followers are incredibly enthusiastic about them, and earlier this year we sold well over 1,000 new Swift nestboxes! As well as our own regional teams working hard to make sure these birds have plenty of places to nest, there are around 75 independent local Swift groups.”

The RSPB’s John Day and fellow Swift experts Dick Newell and Edward Mayer recently had published a co-authored article providing advice for ecologists in the membership journal of the Chartered Institute for Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM). The article outlines ways in which new building developments can easily accommodate homes for Swifts, neatly built inside wall cavities. These “nest bricks” should be added typically in small clusters of two to four to gables of houses, as Swifts prefer to nest close to one another.

Everyone can help Swifts this summer by adding sightings of the birds nesting or flying around roofs to the RSPB’s Swift Survey: rspb.org.uk/Swiftsurvey. Data gathered in the survey are used to show which sites are most important for Swifts.

There’s also an opportunity to get out and enjoy the Swifts that have made it back this year and learn how to help boost their numbers during Swift Awareness Week, from Saturday 22 to Sunday 30 June. This will highlight the plight of this iconic bird and show how everyone can help by, for example putting up Swift nest boxes and gardening for wildlife. Over 70 local events have been organised during the week so far, from the south coast to the north of Scotland. Further details of each event can be found on the Action for Swifts website.

RSPB
11 June 2019

Burton Swifts - Thursday 6th June 2019 week

Burton Swifts - Thursday 6th June 2019 watch

Tonight I would say was perhaps the best night so far for both activity and recording nesting sites.  The weather was clear and warm and we can imagine it creating a large mass of insects at moderate altitudes.  We counted approx 15 birds in and around the Memorial Hall and a further 8 birds in and around the Manor House/Coaching House areas.  We did suspect that non-breeding birds could well have swelled the numbers.  There were plenty of screaming chasing parties with one party up to 8 birds. At times some of the birds flew low eg: below the Main Street telephone wires. We did notice on the Manor House that birds (up to 3 in the party) but one in particular was investigating a hole on the front of the House as though perhaps canvassing for a site for next year! it checked out this hole on two separate occasions and held itself at the hole entrance for several seconds before flying off again.

Also we did well this evening with 2019 nesting sites, we had a pair of birds seen to go into a new eaves sites on the post office block, just inches away from the two old established nest sites. Also we had a further two birds seen going into two (regular) sites on the front of the Royal Cottage, bring this front elevation up to 4 sites already this year and not forgetting the 3 sites on the rear already recorded. We were eager to start seeing some activity at the Manor House and Coaching House, well as far as the Manor House our watch paid off and before long we saw a single bird going into the gable end corner, also on the front elevation of the Manor House we saw another bird going into a eaves site one metre from the left hand corner (a established site) and we were lucky enough to see yet another bird again using the eaves at the left hand side of the lower annexed building to the right hand of the main building.

12 Nest sites already recorded being used (2019) are:
Post Office buildings - 1
Hangings Farm - 1
Royal Cottage rear and return - 3
Royal Cottage front - 4
Manor House Gable and front elevation - 3

Tonights observers included: Reg Hesketh, Branwen Kilburn and Bryan Yorke

The next Swift watch will be next Thursday 13th June 2019 - Meeting at the Memorial Hall at 2000hrs - Everyone Welcome  

Burton Swifts - Friday 31st May 2019

The weather was cool and breezy yet the birds still went high.  Initially we saw up to 8 birds over the Memorial Hall and later we saw up to 7 birds chasing and screaming over the Coaching House and Manor House areas.  Obviously we could not confirm whether these were separate groups or the same group.

We spent a small amount of time checking Cocking Yard, the front of the Royal, the new nest box site at Annabel's on The Square, and finishing off with more time spent watching both the Coaching House and the Manor house.

The only nest activity we recorded was a bird going into a established nest site at the eave level on one of last years sites at the front centre section of the Royal cottage front elevation (to the rh side of the middle upstairs window. 

Tonights observers included: Annabel Campbell, Branwen Kilburn, Angela Sumner and Bryan Yorke. 

The next Swift watch will be next Thursday 6th June 2019 - Meeting at the Memorial Hall at 2000hrs - Everyone Welcome  

Burton Swifts - Thursday 23rd May 2019

It's really good news!

Four of us met at the Memorial Hall and we counted at least 12 Swifts in the skies above the Memorial Hall and which later seemed to centre their activities over the Royal area.  Much chasing and screaming were taking place. Because of the recent demolition and construction work being carried out to the rear of the Royal Hotel we wanted to try and ascertain whether the birds were still using their established breeding nest sites, so we spent a good 90% of the watch at this one site.

It proved to be a good decision, though at first we had our doubts because it seemed so quiet, although plenty of overhead activity, yet after some 30 minutes watching we saw one bird enter the large slit opening, a little later this was followed by one going into the very small hole upper and to the left of the large slit.  Also we managed to confirm that one went into the regular site on the return elevation, although at first we had doubts whether this one would be used because it was obvious a Starling was nesting in the proximity.

So for now we can establish that at least 3 of the 4 established sites are occupied, and no reason to suggest why the 4th site is not being used as well, although obviously we do need to get a confirmation of this over the coming weeks.  Also earlier I was able to establish that the Hangings Farm site in Cocking Yard has been taken up again, and also on the front of the Royal Cottage, the small hole part way down the left hand side elevation is being used along with at least one of the high level eave sites again to the left hand side of the building.

Hopefully next week we maybe able to concentrate on both the Manor House and The Coach House.

Tonights observers included: Hugh and Sue Miles, Reg Hesketh and Bryan Yorke

The next Swift watch will be next Friday (please note change of night just for this week to FRIDAY 31st May 2019 - Meeting at the Memorial Hall at 2000hrs - Everyone Welcome  

SWIFT UPDATES 2019 - EARLY DAYS

Tues 14th May 2019:

Lyn Bond from Priest Hutton found a Swift on her drive this morning (14th May 2019) and after letting the bird rest up for a while she will attempt to hold it up in hopes it will fly off, in the meantime she has sent these photos of the bird.

Lyn has now been back in touch to state she has successfully got the bird away again and it was seen to fly with strength to a high position, were it teamed up with another bird (probably its mate maybe!!)

Photo: Lyn Bond

Photo: Lyn Bond

Photo: Lyn Bond

The above 3 photos have been kindly sent in by Lyn Bond of Priest Hutton
who found the Swift in her drive this morning, maybe it has been stunned.  After
resting she is going to hold it up in hope it will fly off. Lyn has been back in touch
and confirmed it got away successfully


**

"Early Day Records"

It looks like we may have got our Swifts back with us, so I wont be doing anymore daily monitoring over the coming days, although we will commence our Swift evening watches soon and anyone interested is welcome to attend.

Tuesday 14th May 2019 - Main St, Burton In Kendal.

1600hrs 3 Swifts flying above Clawthorpe Hall

Monday 13th May 2019 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal

2000hrs I think they may well all be back, at least 20 plus counted tonight with activity all the way from Manor House to the Tanpits, with high concentrations over the Royal. 

0800hrs Up to 8 birds flying this morning with 4 in the Manor House vicinity and 4 in the Royal/Cocking Yard vicinity.  Spent 10 minutes to rear of Royal. Workmen working further back in old pub garden area. No activity from Swifts to the rear nest sites whilst I was there.

Sunday 12th May 2019 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal

2015hrs  At least 10 birds between Manor House and Memorial Hall. A trio chasing. Bird seen to go in small hole midway down wall on LH of front Royal cottage elevation. Also a bird seen on two occasions to enter nest site at LH side eaves (approx 1 mtre from LH) of Royal Cottage front elevation. 

0800hrs at least 12 Swifts flying between Tanpits and Manor House, with highest concentration seen around the Manor House side, with several birds chasing and screaming. It does look very much like there have been some increases in numbers.

Saturday 11th May 2019 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal

1930hrs 5 Swifts flying high between Kings and Memorial Hall

0815hrs at least 10 Swifts about this morning could well be more, they were seen chasing one another and screaming with up to 8 birds in one party. 2 separate birds were seen to enter the front of the Royal Cottage.

Friday 10th May 2019 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal

2030hrs 6 Swifts between Neddy Hill and Memorial Hall.  One Swift seen going into Hanging Farm nestsite in Cocking Yard.

0800hrs Only 1 Swift seen over Memorial Hall, again just odd Martins, weather damp cold, thick cloud not moving, still conditions. Expect birds are feeding up elsewhere this morning

Thursday 9th May 2019 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal

1945hrs Just one Swift seen to leave the Royal building and went off in a Neddy Hill direction with no others seen, along with a nil on Martins as well.

1000hrs No Swifts or Martins on view - weather damp, cold and miserable obviously the birds have moved to better feeding quarters.

Wednesday 8th May 2019 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal

0945hrs  6 Swifts flying together over Tanpits and Memorial Hall

Tuesday 7th May 2019 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal

1930hrs Now 6 Swifts between Royal and Memorial Hall

1200hrs 4 Swifts over Memorial Hall

0700hrs No Swifts seen just a few Martins

Bank Holiday Monday 6th May 2019 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal

2015hrs up to 4 Swifts, 10 House Martins and 1 Swallow. Swifts seen at varying points between Manor House and Memorial Hall. 

0800hrs 3 birds seen, 2 over Royal and 1 over Manor House

Sunday 5th May 2019 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal

2000hrs 4 birds present flying high above Memorial Hall

0830hrs Just 2 birds on view between Royal and Memorial

Saturday 4th May 2019 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal

1930hrs 4 birds giving the impression of two separate pairs high over between the Royal and the Kings.

0745hrs At least two birds (possibly 3) flying high above Glebe Close areas

Friday 3rd May 2019 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal

2000hrs no sightings of Swift/s or Martins the skies looked void

1030hrs - Still flying high over Tanpits and Morewood School areas, he/she was screaming to say they are very lonely on there own......come on lets have more Swifts!!

Thursday 2nd May 2019 - Main Street, Burton In Kendal

2030hrs - our first Swift has arrived back in the village and can currently be seen gracing the skies above the Memorial Hall.

**

The first Swift watch for 2019 will be next Thursday 23rd May 2019 - Meeting at the Memorial Hall at 2000hrs - Everyone Welcome  

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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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

Burton Swifts - Friday 28th July 2018 and week

Wednesday 1st August 2018 - Checking out Main Street

2000hrs  14 birds seen in the skies between Memorial Hall and the Royal Hotel

Tuesday 31st July 2018 - Walk along Main Street to Manor House and back

2015hrs (to 2115hrs) 20 birds seen in the skies, also 3 seen entering nest sites to the rear of the Royal Cottage Annexe. A screaming party of 5 birds (watched by Reg and May Hesketh and Angela Sumner)

1915hrs  No birds showing over a 20 minute period.

1000hrs  A solitary bird was seen flying around the Kings/Manor house areas.

Monday 30th July 2018 - Walk along Main Street to Kings and back

30 Swifts flying high over Cocking Yard this evening (watched by Jane Phillips)

2015hrs  12 Swifts in the skies.  At least 10 over the Memorial Hall area and a further two between the Royal and Kings areas.

0910hrs 10 Swifts in the skies between Memorial Hall and Kings.  A party of 6 birds chasing and screaming around the Royal area.

Sunday 29th July 2018 - Walk along Main Street and back

1945hrs 7 Swifts in the skies between Neddy Hill and the Kings area.  Also one came out of nest site at the front of the Royal.  It looks very much like the majority of the birds (probably up to 30 or more) could well have left us yesterday (Saturday 28th July 2018). We did get the impression on Fridays watch that the birds were getting fidgety with lots of irregular aerial swirling movements and perhaps this was signs of collective preparation in readiness for a long haul exit.

LARGE MOVEMENTS SOUTH STARTED AT THE WEEKEND:

On Saturday 28th July 2018 the following records: 4841 Swift went through Spurn (Yorks), 860 Swifts went over Bury (Lancs).
On Sunday 29th July 2018 the following records: 4264 Swift went through Long Nab, Burmiston, North Yorks, 3471 Swift went through Spurn (Yorks), 8542 Swifts flew south past Hemsby (Norfolk) between 5.50am to 7.20am - (Information taken from random sites throughout the Country)

Far reduced sightings were given for the proceeding Friday 27th and following on Monday 30th so it looks like the first big leave happened on Saturday 28th with a lesser move on the Sunday 29th which ties in exactly with our Burton Birds exit.

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Received from Tim and Carolyn Knowlman in Amboise, France (31st July 2018)

Dear Bryan, Many thanks for your message. Yes we have been receiving and enjoying your messages. It is fantastic all the detailed observations you have been making of nest sites.I like your system of adding the dates on in red. We have been busy here contacting château de Chambord ( an incredible place built by François 1 in the 16 th century as a hunting lodge and set in a huge walled park that covers the same area as the city of Paris !). We had discovered that through total ignorance of the existence of swifts nesting there they had been filling in their nest holes when doing renovation work. So 4 of us spent half a day there doing a detailed survey of the site. It was quite a business to get permission & clear security etc.but we had perfect weather conditions & the swifts were there !  Anyway, I attach the photos.These have gone by registered post to a whole long list of people including the builders who are working on the place.

Meanwhile virtually all the swifts left here last week with the main bunch on the 24 th July.This is about a week sooner than last year. It now feels very quiet !

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Burton Swifts Watch - Friday 27th July 2018 - Burton Memorial Hall, Cocking Yard and rear of the Royal Cottage 2000hrs to 2100hrs

Again it was a lovely warm evening throughout the watch although it had become quite cloudy. We had at least 40 Swifts flying high and there could well have been more, it proved so difficult to count.  We had lots of low screaming parties, the largest party we counted was 8. We witnessed one bird leave the Post Office cottages and we also saw another one going into its nest site on Hangings Farm in Cocking Yard. We spent a little while at Cocking Yard and then moved over to the rear of the Royal and stayed there for quite sometime, but never saw any Swifts entering or leaving their nest sites which we thought unusual for the length of time we had spent there, and this had us wondering whether or not the birds had actually already left their nest site.  We did see two birds at the entrance to one of the nest sites last week as though they perhaps could have been preparing to leave.

Tonights observers were: Reg Hesketh, Branwen Kilburn, Maggie, Angela Sumner, Bryan Yorke.


The next Swift watch will be next Thursday 2nd August 2018 - Meeting at the Memorial Hall at 2030hrs - Everyone Welcome  

Burton Swifts - Thursday 19th July 2018 and week

Thursday 19th July 2018 - Swift Watch - Burton Memorial Hall, Cocking Yard and Neddy Hill and the Royal rear annexe buildings 2030hrs to 2200hrs

Shows the two new sites on the front of the Royal Cottage (Click over to enlarge)

Shows the site at Clawthorpe Hall were the Swift was seen leaving the nest earlier today

It was another pleasant night, warm with little cloud and there were Swifts everywhere.  We did manage to count at least 32, a similar count to last week and lots of small screaming parties the largest being around the 7 mark. We first watched the skies over the Memorial Hall before moving on and checking down Neddy Hill and checked out the buildings on the West side called Croftlands because we had been tipped off by David Craig that there has been lots of activity over the past week or two around these buildings.  We did see plenty of Swifts in the sky but none entered the property whilst we were there. Then we moved on to Cocking Yard and later on to the rear of the Royal annexe buildings were we witnessed birds going into 3 separate established sites.  The largest hole on the rear annexe did appear at one time to show two birds looking out and we were unable to establish whether these were adults or juveniles. We did notice things started to go quiet and few birds in the sky from 2200hrs.

Tonights observers included: Reg Hesketh, Sue Miles, Angela Sumner, Bryan Yorke

It was also reported:

Earlier in the day (0900hrs to 0945hrs) that Bryan Yorke had been to check out the Ducketts site at Clawthorpe Hall and he had 11 birds at times flying around screaming above their nest sites.  A single bird was seen to leave the established nest site on the residential building about mid-way across. We do have 3 sites already recorded over past years and can only presume that there will be at least 3 breeding pairs here if not more!

Sue Miles was checking out the front of the Royal Cottage last week (Thursday last up until 2210hrs) and was able to establish a further two nest sites which we had not previously recorded and so we have now also been able to update this area with a further two sites (it's all good news!). She noticed activity seemed to finish around the 2210hrs.

Reg attended yesterdays meeting in regards to the proposed building of new properties which will back up on land near to the recreational areas.  He was able to attend the meeting representing our group and made introductions with the architect.

The group have been contacted by Carolyn Knowlman from Amboise in France and she runs a similar Swift group to us over there. She was writing to invite us to correspond with their group. We all agreed it would be a great idea.  She also has a Swift site is fabulous and is called "Association for the safeguarding of Black Marinets" her site address is: https://sosmartinets.com  Its a fabulous site and safe to use although it may be flagged up by Norton or McAfee, just ignore the flag and enter the site all is safe.


The next Swift watch will be next Friday 27th July 2018 - Meeting at the Memorial Hall at 2030hrs (Please note change of night from Thursday to Friday) - Everyone Welcome  

Burton Swifts - Thursday 12th July 2018 and week

Burton Swift Watch - Thursday 12th July 2018 - Burton Memorial Hall 2030hrs to 2130hrs

Tonights new nest site shown in orange to LH side of Riggs House in Cocking Yard

Tonight the skies were filled with Swifts almost wherever you looked there seemed to be activity. We counted approx 32 Swifts in the air at one time although to be honest I am sure this was a under count and there would have been more. We also had plenty of chasing, screaming parties with one in particular containing at least 12 birds. For most of the time the birds seemed to be at low or mid altitude and gave the observer a fabulous show!

We observed the regular Post Office Buildings birds enter and leave its site. Also a bird was seen to enter the LH front of Riggs House in Cocking Yard.  The bird entered the already established nest site at the LH corner, yet moments later a bird was seen to leave the property and coming out on the point of a couple of raised slates which is about 2ft further along from the corner, so whether this was the same bird that entered the site from the LH corner or was it another site altogether.  We will make a note of this and try and check over the coming couple of weeks. Also activity was thought to be going on at the rear of the Royal.

We only checked out the Post Office and Cocking Yard sites this evening.

It was also reported that earlier in the week Bryan Yorke had seen a pair of Swifts using the Ducketts site at Clawthorpe Old Hall and further investigations will be carried out.

Observers included: Reg and May Hesketh, Branwyn Kilburn, Hugh and Sue Miles, Bryan Yorke. It was a very enjoyable and productive watch. 

The next Swift watch will be next Thursday 19th July 2018 - Meeting at the Memorial Hall at new time of 2030hrs - Everyone Welcome  

Burton Swifts - Thursday 5th July 2018 and week

Thursday 5th July 2018 - Burton Swift Watch on Main Street - Burton In Kendal 2030hrs to 2145hrs

Again the skies seem to be busy with Swifts and we had managed to count the largest party of the watch to 22 birds, we also had a party of 8 screaming and chasing birds which could well have been immature birds.  We witnessed a bird entering the regular site on the cottages on the Post Office Row.  Also we had another view of a Swift entering the small hole midway down the building on the front of the Royal Cottage. One was seen entering the nest sites on the rear annexe building of the Royal Cottage. Also a further two sightings of birds entering or leaving nest sites from the gable end area of the Coaching House.

We have so far recorded 21 Swift nesting sites from within Burton.

We were also privileged to see and hear a high flying Oystercatcher when it flew over the village from the E to W direction.

By putting the starting time back a little it does seem to be more productive and so the group decided we would keep to the same starting time next week.  Also it was suggested we send out a email to all within the group confirming our meet up times on a weekly basis.

Observers tonight included:  Reg and May Hesketh, Branwen Kilburn, Hugh and Sue Miles, Bryan Yorke.

The next Swift watch will be next Thursday 12th July 2018 - Meeting at the Memorial Hall at new time of 2030hrs - Everyone Welcome  

Burton Swifts - Friday 29th June 2018 and week

Swift Watch - Friday 29th June 2018 - Burton Main Street checking usual sites

Lots of great activity on the Coaching House this week with 4 sites recording for 2018 so far
Click over photo to enlarge

We started off from the Memorial Hall, and then moved on to Cocking Yard which turned out to be a very pleasant surprise.  Whilst observing we actually witnessed a Swift going into the left hand corner high elevation behind the barge board of Riggs House and the house owner came out and told us of another Swift nest site he had on the rear of his property and we were then kindly invited to go to the back of the house to check it out. The owner had seen a Swift entering his property on a regular bases and it was somewhere about the middle of the property on the high elevation. Not only that we were also assured by other house owners who approached us whilst in Cocking Yard that there were even more nesting pairs on another house on the right hand side and also on Hangings Farm and its adjoining property, again we were unaware of these sites so do intend to try and get some observations here over the coming couple of weeks.

We then moved on to the Royal in particular checking out the rear annexe of which we were still a bird short to fill the very large nest hole at the very top.  Sure enough tonight was one of those nights when everything was happening and before long we witnessed a bird using this site, which completes all the established nest sites that we are aware of on the rear of the Royal. Besides this one we also saw two birds enter the larger horizontal slit hole and also birds entering and leaving the small hole just above and left of the large slit hole.

Moving on to the front of the Royal and things got even better with a bird seen to enter a nest site to the LH side of the third window along on the high elevation (right hand side of building).  This again was the first time we have witnessed this site being used this year, bring the total nest sites being used on the "Royal Cottage and rear Annexed building" to a total of 9 sites which is fantastic!!

In the skies above Main Street and counted from around the Royal Areas we had a total of at least 15 birds in the skies, with plenty of small parties (up to seven in a party), screaming and chasing one another throughout the watch.

We then briefly checked out the Manor House, before going up to the rear and gable areas of The Coaching House.  We were inspired to check this area in particular because Sue had noticed a Swift leaving a new site on the rear upper elevation during the week, and sure enough we were not to be disappointed.  Although we did not see the one Sue had seen we were treated to a "grand performance" from other Swifts which had obviously occupied up to three separate sites on the gable high elevation.  We think that two of these sites are previously recorded.  So from Sues record and ours tonight we can confirm breeding in at least 4 new sites on the Coaching House which again is just fantastic!!

Tonights observers were:  Bert (welcome Bert), Mary Bullimore, Reg Hesketh, Kathryn, Bryan Yorke

Swifts of Cocking Yard as of 29th June 2018 (Click over photo to enlarge)

Swifts now confirmed on the front of the Royal Cottage (Click over photo to enlarge)

All regular sites now confirmed for 2018 (Click over photo to enlarge)

The next Swift watch will be next Thursday 5th July 2018 - Meeting at the Memorial Hall at new time of 2030hrs - Everyone Welcome  

Burton Swifts - Thursday 21st June 2018 and week.

Friday 22nd June 2018 "Glebe Close" Burton In Kendal 1300hrs to 1400hrs

Properties in question - Glebe Close cul-de-sac
(Click over photo to enlarge)

At least six Swifts constantly flying low within the square dimensional open cul-de-sac area of Glebe Close and every few minutes would be seen flying up to the eaves of the different properties as though trying to find nest sites or canvassing the area for a site or maybe for some other reason and without landing would immediately fly away and come back and repeat this behaviour on that or other nearby properties.  This is the very first time I have seen them doing this here and carrying out this strange behaviour for such a prolonged period (approx one hour). I wonder what could have triggered this strange behaviour and especially why here on the modern build properties (1980s) which are all tightly rendered up to and between the rafter ends and have no open access for bird nest sites. I can only think perhaps that these are immature birds from maybe last year or the year before. I cannot understand why breeding birds would have the time and energy to want to participate in this. I have also seen a similar behaviour to this here before performed by House Martins, but this only ever lasted for ten minutes or so.

Thursday 21st June 2018 and week - Burton In Kendal - Main Street

Very little activity was seen tonight, we checked out the Post Office Cottages, Cocking Yard, the rear of the Royal and the Manor House.  We had a total of ten birds seen in the skies along the full stretch of Main Street.  We also watched one bird has it left the regular nest site at the Post Office cottages, and we also witnessed a bird enterting and leaving the nest site at the gable corner of the Manor House (ex Starling Hole!) It was clear skies and the opinion of the group were that most of the Swifts were feeding up at high altitude and escaping view.

Tonights observers were: Reg Hesketh, Sue Miles and Bryan Yorke.

The next Swift watch will be next Friday 29th June 2018 - Meeting at the Memorial Hall at 2000hrs - Everyone Welcome  

Burton Swifts - Thursday 14th June 2018 and week

Thursday 14th June 2018 and week - Main Street, Burton In Kendal

The weather has changed considerably in the last 12 hours having just gone through severe strong winds, although the situation was beginning to settle down again.

It was a hit and miss to see the Swifts because at times the skies seemed almost absent and then you would see a small flurry with anything between 5 and 8 birds and just a couple of occasions did we have a party of three which were screaming.  The best count of birds in the sky tonight was 11 birds.

Whilst observing from the Memorial Hall, we were lucky to see one bird leave its nest site to the left hand side of the right window of the cottage next but one to the Post Office.  Also we then checked out Cocking Yard and was able to confirm the bird using its long established site at Hangings Farm and we were told also that it is possible they are using the site on the right hand site at the drop level with the black drainpipe (this needs to be confirmed).

We then went observing at the Royal Cottage and rear annexe but had nothing to report and then continued on to the Manor House.  At the Manor House I had one bird enter the lower gable site which the starlings occupied last year.

Tonight's observers were: Reg and May Hesketh, Hugh and Sue Miles and Bryan Yorke.

Here are photos showing the progress to date:

Shows nest site recorded tonight on the cottages on the Post Office Buildings block (Click over to enlarge)

Shows nest site recorded tonight on the "Hangings Farm" in Cocking Yard (Click over to enlarge)

Shows Records so far this year on the Manor House (Click over to enlarge)

Shows records so far this year on the Royal Hotel Cottage (front elevation) (Click over to enlarge)

Shows records so far this year on rear annexe of the Royal Cottage building (Click over to enlarge)

The next Swift watch will be next Thursday 21st June 2018 - Meeting at the Memorial Hall at 2000hrs - Everyone Welcome