12 May, 2024
Swifts nesting in the eaves!
Mike Averill fitted a swift nesting box (complete with camera) on the side of his house in 2022. Very quickly, to his surprise, a pair of Swifts were keen to occupy it. There was even an attempt to lay eggs and raise young. Unfortunately, this attempt was unsuccessful. Mike thinks that the pair were probably inexperienced. There was a second attempt in 2023 when a pair managed to raise one chick.
Mike’s records show that the Swifts returned to the local area in the last week of April this year. This was a very welcome sight given the terrible tales of difficult journeys that Swifts have had returning from Africa, where they migrate for the winter.
The nesting box was occupied again on 12th May this year. Mike is hopeful that this pair is the same birds that used the swift nesting box in 2023. They have successfully raised 2 chicks this year. We can only envy Mike’s front seat row, as he continues to observe these amazing birds via his remote camera.
Swifts – Apus apus – in nesting box.
Photograph by – Mike Averill