Common swifts 2009

[mark smyth]

I'm back! After a long dispute with BT I woke today to find my internet back on. I think it's time to leave their company.

Back to swifts and I have some great news. The RSPB have just added the swift to the amber list
Amber list criteria
Historical population decline during 1800–1995, but recovering; population size has more than doubled over last 25 years
Moderate (25-49%) decline in UK breeding population over last 25 years
Moderate (25-49%) contraction of UK breeding range over last 25 years
Moderate (25-49%) decline in UK non-breeding population over last 25 years
Species with unfavourable conservation status in Europe (SPEC = Species of European Conservation Concern)
Five-year mean of 1–300 breeding pairs in UK
> or =50% of UK breeding population in 10 or fewer sites, but not rare breeders
> or =50% of UK non-breeding population in 10 or fewer sites
> or =20% of European breeding population in UK
> or =20% of NW European (wildfowl), East Atlantic Flyway (waders) or European (others) non-breeding populations in UK   

Here in N Ireland they have become a Priority 1 species.

In Ireland they are amber listed also.

[mark smyth]

In my colony the first bird back in a box was on May 6th. Three days later it's mate was back. I have four pairs together. One pair were in a box but for reasons unknown they haven't been back for a week. Two pairs now have an egg each. How do I know this? I have cameras in 5 nest boxes.

[ChrisB]

Our neighbours had to replace their guttering this spring, it was well overdue, and of course the swift next went when they did.  I thought they might rebuild, but not seen any of them attempting to do it yet.  Do you think they might try again?  I used to love watching them arrive and bring up a family.

[mark smyth]

Can you explain what has happened? Were they nesting in the eaves which were then repaired/replaced?

[mark smyth]

Here's a short video just recorded. Who says swifts cant move fast!?

[ChrisB]

Yes, Mark.  They were nesting right where the gutter meets the wall.  It was such a shame.  Many others on our estate have actively stopped them from building nests on their property - they don't like the mess.  I find it hard to understand myself.  Wish they had decided to make their homes on my  house instead but alas, they didn't.  The houses they seem to favour are ones rendered with a sort of stucco which is painted.  Built around 1950 I think, by the RAF.  Ours were too, but not until 1960, and ours are mostly brick with render on part of the house.  I've not seen a single swift nest on our houses, but lots were on the others, until people were allowed to buy them, then started preventing the swifts from nesting.  They were almost all on an east facing wall.

[mark smyth]

You're referring to house martins that make mud nests. Swifts nest in holes and crevices around houses, mills and barns etc. I used to have house martins but the year their nest fell they didnt rebuild

[mark smyth]

I uploaded this video tonight. Do you know that swifts enter their nesting holes very fast around 50mph 70kph? Watch closely two minutes in. When you hear swifts screaming watch the right hand side of the box closest to the camera. The swift comes in so fast it hits the back of the box.

[mark smyth]

here is a still from the footage

[Paul T]

Mark,

Very cool.  They have such long wings!!!!! 

[Maggi Young]

Do you know that swifts enter their nesting holes very fast around 50mph 70kph?

No, I didn't knowthat.... extraordinary, you'd wonder they don't tear their wings off, never mind the concussion from thumping the rear wall      Makes the flying antics of the RAF pilots we see doing aerobatics over the countryside look distinctly amateurish!

[Stephenb]

Saw my first Swifts today on my cycle in to work, just about on time:

Follow their progress in Scandinavia here:

http://www.birdlife.no/fuglekunnskap/obser.php

(just type in Swift)

[mark smyth]

I read earlier this week that swifts have just arrived in Norway. They arrive from Africa in 5 waves
north Africa
Middle East
main land Europe
UK
northern Europe

Birds in the middle east are ready to fledge their young. What isnt known is do they go back to Africa or head your way for a second brood

[Ragged Robin]

I uploaded this video tonight. Do you know that swifts enter their nesting holes very fast around 50mph 70kph? Watch closely two minutes in. When you hear swifts screaming watch the right hand side of the box closest to the camera. The swift comes in so fast it hits the back of the box.

Mark, thanks for the video link - I have never seen swifts resting and preening before - they are such beautiful birds I have watched them for hours on walks wheeling and arching overhead - at 50mph /70kph they they are on their way to being cheetahs of the sky - what is their top speed?

[mark smyth]

From commonswift.org http://www.commonswift.org/common_swift.html

The Common Swift is one of the fastest-flying birds found in Europe. When members of a colony get together and fly screaming at full speed over their territory they can reach 220 kph 146 mph in dives. Only the Alpine Swift (Apus melba), which can dive at 250 km/h 166 mph, and the Hobby (Falco subbuteo), are faster than the Common Swift. The Hobby can dive at 240 km/h 160 mph and is the Common Swift’s only natural enemy on the wing, because no other predatory bird can fly fast enough and maneuver  well enough to catch a free-flying Swift

Here is footage of a hobby, Falco subbuteo, catching a swift after a 3 minute chase