'High in the Blue Above Swifts Whirl and Call'

Photo Ben Andrew/rspb-images.com

The arrival of swifts in Parkside each year has always filled me with excitement and joy, as they are lovely to watch 'high in the blue above' as well as to hear them screaming in parties of two or more around the rooftops, a sign of breeding and nesting.  I've never yet worked out where they are nesting though and that is my goal this year. 

My title comes from the 'Ducks' Ditty' in Kenneth Grahame's much-loved tale of 'The Wind in The Willows', which is currently being used to advertise the Wildlife Trusts' aims to encourage more people to play their part in nature's recovery. 

Published on Mar 27, 2019, the trailer shows Badger, Toad, Mole and Ratty in serious trouble when they return to the Willows! Join in to play your part in nature’s recovery: wildlifetrusts.org/wilder-future

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZYcoeqzxVI

There is something we can all do about swifts.  I am watching the skies above Houghton Regis for their familiar outline against the sky, and listening out for their familiar screaming parties around the rooftops.  Watch this You-tube video for correct identification:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rl1PnyPqVG0

You can do the same and report your sighting of screaming parties and, if you are lucky, nest sights in holes in roofs, on the BCN Wildlife Trust's special survey website:

https://www.wildlifebcn.org/blog/josh-hellon/help-our-swifts-join-2019-survey

or on the RSPB survey https://swiftsurvey.org/Rspb/Home/Index

If you have a swift nesting box on your house, the Wildlife Trust would like to know.  Or just let me know via the contact button or on facebook if you have heard or seen swifts in your area of Houghton Regis and I will come to your street to record them.

Swift numbers are declining but we have them here and can do something to help them increase in numbers again.  Why not have a go at spotting them, and listen out for them screaming around the rooftops.