Swifts, the last to arrive and the first to go
As a keen birder, whether it’s the comings or the goings, I always keep an eye open for migrants.
As far as the summer species are concerned, the swift is a late arrival compared to the others and it’s the first to go.
They’re fascinating birds, travelling thousands of miles from Africa to reach their breeding grounds in the UK.
Apart from when they’re on a nest, they spend their time exclusively in the air and that includes feeding, mating and sleeping.
I haven’t see one yet in August in the valley where I live, but I did spot one early over the lake while fishing, with another three later on, again for just a few seconds.
They are usually there in numbers (20-30) so an indication that they are indeed starting the long journey back to Africa.