Have been away for a few days so delighted to find our two chicks doing well. Also was out catching up with the garden when I counted a flock of 11 swifts. I counted 11 but there could have been more. I don’t remember that many at one time before so feeling upbeat about our local swifts. 2 clips. The first showing the 2 chicks with an adult at the nest entry. The second showing in chick doing “press ups”. These are wing strengthening exercises as they prepare to fly. Re bear their first flight will last for 3 years!

Not a lot of change weather or swift wise. Windy and cooler. Just one short clip. The adventurous one a bit further from the nest.

Been out for most of the day. Not much activity as far as I could see. The chicks are growing feathers fast and preening a lot now. Clip seeing the chicks feathers.

Rain on and off all day. The garden looks much brighter. Not much swift activity. Just managed to catch the chicks not on top of each other. Starting to look like little swifts.

A much warmer and sunnier dat today. While in the garden had 5 swifts swooping round the house. One of the chicks seems determined to get out of the nest, which is only a joist with a few feathers on. At least he is not going too far today, it has to be a he. Short clip showing this.

Cooler again today. Even needed a jumper this morning. While out in the garden 4 swifts flying around. The adults in the bedroom nest out most of the day. The chicks are doing well. A short clip. They have been next to each other like this all day. Any change later will add another clip.

Much cooler today. four screaming round the house this morning otherwise a quiet swift day. Both chicks doing well. Clip showing both chicks.

A bit cooler today. The errant swift returned to the nest last night. The nest is getting a bit crowded at night with all 4 swifts present. Could not get a decent video today. Will try again tomorrow.

6 swifts screaming round the house while I was weeding the garden. Unfortunately I was stuck in a fruit cage so unable to get out for a good view. It’s nearly 8pm and looking at the camera I have a horrible feeling that the adventurous chick may be off for a stroll again. I hope not. Will wait til the morning if he does before thinking of intervening again.

Two fairly chaotic days so apologies for the lack of blogs. Was busy today then when I had the chance to sit down checked the cam only to find one chick a long way from the nest and looking not too great. I decided to get it back to the nest a job I have done many times over the years. With the help of a pond fishing net in a very hot eves managed to return it to the nest. 2 clips. One before and one after.

With all that excitement forgot that this morning counted a group of 11 swifts screaming round the house. Most so far this year.