Author Archives: nevilletodd

Friday 17th July 2020

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.

One from bedroom nest thinking of going
Last two chicks in bedroom nest.
Last chick with parent this evening.

Thursday 16th July 2020

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.

All five swifts in the bedroom nest.

Wednesday 15th July 2020

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.

Bedroom nest chick showing off its wings.

Sunday 12th July 2020

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.

One from the bedroom nest out for a stroll
The same chick stretching its wings.
The two chimney nest chicks out of the nest.

Thursday 9th July 2020

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.

Feeding time in the bedroom nest.
Nice clip of the two chicks in the chimney nest.

Monday 6th July 2020

A bit warmer today but still windy. Was not out much for various reasons but got some good nest cam views. Have been desperately trying to check we still have 3 chicks in the bedroom nest. The first clip shows confirmation that we still have all three. A couple of views from the chimney nest. First showing a side on view of one of the chicks out of the nest. Second showing one of them out for a stroll.

All 3 chicks in the bedroom nest
Good view of one of the chimney nest chicks.
One of the chimney nest swifts out for a stroll.

Sunday 5th July 2020

A very windy day and fairly cold. The adults have been out most of the day. The chicks in the bedroom nest have stayed still most of the day so it has been impossible to count them. A short clip showing my problem.

How many chicks in the bedroom nest?