Sorry, have been busy the last few days. Very little flying activity, saw three in a very short screaming party last week. On the whole the weather has been good. Today we had a very wet morning but the afternoon was fine and sunny. I probably have not said this before but these swifts have been great parents. When its been cold there has always been one adult in the nest, when the weather has been good there has been plenty of food they bring food almost hourly. I have still not seen any parasites so am fairly sure this is a new nest and almost certainly first time parents. They seem to be a little less tolerant of the hassle when they return with food but all four huddle up for the night.

One photo from today. its so difficult. They are a couple of feet from the only position I can get the camera, I have to use the screen as can’t get my eye to the eyepiece and need a torch held in my other hand to focus. This photo took 40 minutes to get.

First clip is one parent arriving with food

Second clip shows the chicks with an adult. They are almost full size now but a bit paler.

The earliest the first one may fledge is the 18th August. Its very late and may be a bit later as the food supply has been on and off. Many swifts are already on their way to S Africa. Its so hard to understand that when the chicks leave they will not touch the ground again for at least two years. The adults will not see each other until they return to this nest next May.