Very wet morning and although I didn’t take any clips both adults were in the nest with my last chick all morning. It brightened up a bit with showers, enough for BBQ. On checking this evening the nest was bare. All five chicks successfully fledged. A tribute to both sets of parents as we had some good spells of weather but lots of rain,cold and wind. If I recall this was early nesting, egg laying,hatching and fledging. Another 10 months for me to await their return.

Back home. Rain on and off all day so not surprised to find our last chick still home. Clip from yesterday showing wing exercising and short clip of lone chick today.

Popped home again today. The last chick is still here. A few bombing round the house and up to the nest in encouragement but it’s still here. Parents still caring for it. First clip showing all three and second clip showing the chick

Although away in caravan popped home today. Was pleased to see the last of our chicks with a parent so still being looked after. Also some wing stretching so expect the chick to fledge very soon. Two clips showing both of these.

After yesterday’s excitement two of the chicks in the bedroom nest got very excited late last night. This was before the adults came back. First clip. First thing this morning I counted 11 swifts screaming round the house. Coming back in I found that one of the three had fledged. Mid afternoon the second one fledged. This leaves the smallest of the three showing no signs of wing flapping yet. This evening one of the adults fed it and stayed home giving it some company. First clip from last night showing one chick preparing to leave. Second clip shows the last one with one of the adults. From its size I think it will a few days before it leaves.

Very interesting 24 hours. Late last night I could only see one chick in the chimney nest. After a while I felt I needed to go up into the attic to check. The nest is on top of a 4 foot vertical wall and they have fallen out before with no possible way back in. I was right and found one of the chicks in the far corner of the attic out of reach where I have previously had a swift nest. There is a gap in the eves to outside. I came down to get a long cane to see if I could encourage it towards me. I could return it to the nest area if I could reach it. On return I could not see it. Checked outside in case it had fallen out but no site. First thing this morning I struggled into the attic and there was the chick where I had seen it last night. While wondering what to do a dog barked and the chick gracefully flew off. No sign of the other chick so I guess they fledged. It’s a bit earlier than I expected and thought the three in the bedroom nest would fledge first. When it flew off it was typical graceful swift flight so I was probably wrong. A short clip showing all five swifts in the bedroom nest.

Sorry have missed a couple of days. Life has been a bit hectic. Will be away next week when I expect some of our flock to have fledged. All the chicks are now stretching their wings and wandering around our attic. A clip from earlier this week showing one in the bedroom nest having a good stretch and flap of nearly fully developed wings.

Back after a couple or days away arrived home late morning to at least 10 swifts screaming round the house. It’s a hot sunny day so I am sure the non breeders have arrived. Still have 5 chicks but I think two in the bedroom nest will be fledging soon. 3 clips tonight. First showing one from the bedroom rest out for a wander. The second clip showing the same chick stretching its wings. The third the two chicks in the chimney nest out of the nest.

Busy day for us. While busy in the garden had swifts screaming all over the place. Away now for a couple of days. Two clips. Feeding time in the bedroom nest and a nice clip of the two chicks in the chimney nest.

Most of the action today has been outside. This evening there were 6 swifts screaming round the house. The best screaming I have seen this year. Little change in the nests so I will leave the clips tonight.