Still just the single returnee. He or she was out early this morning returning at about 5pm. Spending time snuggling in the nest and then shuffling up to the entrance hole as if looking out for its mate. We believe that they flew to South Africa and back separately and probably not seen each other since they left the nest last July. I have only seen 1 swift flying near the house so expect it’s the one I have filmed in the nest.

A couple of clips of the one swift from this afternoon.

I have been following reports of the expected arrival of this years swifts. Yesterday was the first day when significant numbers of swifts were reported from Portland Bill, a well known arrival location that is well monitored. Spent most of yesterday looking up but was not rewarded with any sightings. Was also checking my cameras and at 9pm last night saw a pair of unmistakable wings in the chimney nest. I will have to try and move the camera as it is just missing the nest.

Here is the view from last night.

The swift left early this morning and no others seen about up TIL now. 3pm.

It’s now 9pm. The first one back returned at 8pm and has been wandering around reacquainting it’s self with our attic space.

A couple of clips showing the whole bird.

Have been watching as much as I can over the last couple of days to always find a parent on the nest covering the chicks. Tonight at 9 pm (a favourite time for the parents to fly together got to see both nests clearly First good news is that there are 2 chicks in both nests. Here is the chimney nest with parent just arrived feeding 2 chicks. It was clearer live but definitely 2 chicks.

On the chimney nest a better clip of the 2 chicks.

The chicks are so much more active already.

Lovely news. We have at least 3 chicks. I know they hatched either last night or this morning as I had good views yesterday. I can confirm 2 chicks in the chimney nest. The short clip does show 2 but you will only see one moving. I watched them for some time and saw both moving at the same time but missed recording it. The parents have been on the nest for the rest of today.

On the bedroom nest managed to catch a short feed.

Will try to update more often now there is something to see.

Sorry its been so long since last update. Life has been a bit hectic getting the garden ready for the year after such a late spring. As far as the swifts are concerned life is a bit stable at the moment. Swifts take it in turns to incubate the eggs doing 1 to 2 hour shifts. Checking cameras  there is 1 swift sitting on the nest, occasionally catch the shift change, but not when I could record. They then both settle down together for the night. They are not early risers setting off about 10am.

Tonight one in the bedroom nest went for a little wander so managed to confirm that there are still 2 eggs.

The other highlight for me was 2 nights ago saw and heard swifts screaming round the house. Counted 7 and checked that 2 sitting still so total of 9 swifts round the house. A record number for here. I think there is another small colony just up the road so they may have joined up for the evening or some non breeders checking out future nest sites.

A beautiful sunny day with loads of insects about. Today is the first time I have been able to sit outside at around 9pm in short sleeves and was rewarded with 5 swifts screaming round the house. From the cameras I knew there was one swift on each of my nests so 3 extras. There might be more nests in the attic or they may be the late arrival of the non breeders. (the year or two year olds) A real treat. A couple of clips. First from the bedroom nest. When the first swift arrived the view of the nest was blocked by a sparrow nest. The sparrow was rapidly ejected so I moved the nest. Here we se one of the bedroom swifts looking at the feathers possibly for use in the nest. Shows, I think 2 eggs.

The other clip shows two swifts in the chimney nest possibly guarding the nest entrance from the non breeders then I paned across to the nest to give some orientation to the nest. Two clear eggs.

Up until yesterday the swifts were out of the nest for most of the time. When the weather is warm they seem happy to leave the eggs alone. The last two days have been cold and wet so there has been one swift on the nest all the time swapping over from time to time to feed. this picture from the chimney nest 2 days ago shows, I think 2 eggs.

Then today at one of the many change overs I got this clip which I think shows 2 eggs in the bedroom nest.

I will only check if they are both out.

Two days ago while in the garden had the pleasure of 7 swifts screaming round the house. Not much had changed til I looked at the bedroom cam whilst the swifts were out to find 1 egg in the nest.7

It is not possible to look into the chimney nest so will have to wait and see what happens.

Been away and very busy for a few days. Was a bit concerned about the swifts in the bedroom nest as for several nights only one stayed in the nest over night. Reassured now as both stay over night and a lot of mutual preening. The other pair in the chimney nest spending a lot of time together. Interesting evening today. It was cold and both pairs snuggled up together when I saw 2 flying around the house. Immediately the 4 in the nest went to nest opening and appeared quite agitated. I guess this is a new pair. Lets hope they find another place in the attic to nest.

Firstly the pair in the bedroom nest preening each other and snuggled up as it is cold.

Now the pair looking out when the new pair were circling the house.

Greatly relieved this morning to find 2 swifts in the bedroom nest. Probably not as relieved as the singleton who had been waiting several days for its partner. I am still astounded to understand that since last July they had been apart, flown to Southern Africa for the winter then flown back to find the same small hole in the eves of our house and arrive within 2 or 3 days of each other. Here is the evidence.