Swift Diary 2022
     
                 left - gable boxes, middle - under eave boxes, right - under eave back
gable boxes

nb = non breeder from 2020

  bird 1 bird 2 egg 1 egg 2 egg 3 1st out 2nd out 3rd out 1st fledged 2nd fledged 3rd fledged
1                      
2                      
3                      
4                      
5                      
6                      
7                      
8                      
9                      
10                      
11                      

under eave boxes - front

  bird 1 bird 2 egg 1 egg 2 egg 3 1st out 2nd out 3rd out 1st fledged 2nd fledged 3rd fledged
1                      
2                      
3                      
4                      
5                      
6                      
                       
                       
                       

under eave boxes - back

  bird 1 bird 2 egg 1 egg 2 egg 3 1st hatch 2nd hatched 3rd hatched 1st fledged 2nd fledged 3rd fledged
1                      
2                      
3                      
 
 
2022 Observations
(bracketed dates are from previous seasons)

nb = non breeder from 2022

 
my videos can be seen here www.youtube.com/user/sandersii/videos

the dates when the first swift of each pair has returned to their nest boxes on my house

2009 – May 6th, 8th, 9th, 9th, 9th, 13th
2010 – May 3rd, 3rd, 3rd, 4th, 9th, 9th, 16th
2011 – May 3rd, 5th, 5th, 6th, 8th
2012 – May 10th, 10th, 10th, 12th
2013 – May 7th, 7th, 7th, 12th, 17th, 17th, 31st
2014 – May 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 6th, 6th, 7th
2015 – May 5th, 5th, 8th, 8th, 13th, 14th, 14th, 15th
2016 – May 4th, 4th, 4th, 4th, 4th, 5th, 5th, 5th, 8th
2017 – May 4th, 4th, 5th, 5th, 6th,
2018 – May 7th, May 7th, 7th, 9th
2019 – May 5th, May 6th, May 6th, 12th,12th,
2020 – April 26th, May 5th, May 5th, May 5th, May 7th
2021 – May 2nd, May 5th, May 6th, May 9th, May 10th
2022 – May 6th, May 7th, May 7th, May 8th, May 8th, May 10th
2023 – April 29th, April 29th, April 29th, April 29th, April 30th, May 2nd, May 2nd
 
average date = May 7th/8th (May 7.5)

Looking at my notes over the last 10 years the first swifts seen in Northern Ireland range from April 14th to April 22nd. The average date for first sightings is April 18.9

colour ringed adults

gable box 1 – 32

gable box 2 – 03

gable box 3 – 18 and no ring non breeders from 2022

gable box 4 – ? and ? didnt return in 2023

gable box 5 – 02 and 17

gable box 6 – 19 and

gable box 7 – 03 and 27

gable box 8 –

gable box 9 – 01 and 29

gable box 10 –

gable box 11 –

under eave 4  – ? and ? didnt return in 2023

back 1 –

back 2 –

back 3 – 14 and 25

_________________________________________________________________________

April 15th
11.00 - 3 house martins above the house
April 16th warmest day of the year - 18C
April 20th - swift seen in Antrim
April 21st - 19C
April 22nd - 12 swifts seen at Oxford Island Nature Reserve
April 29th - 6pm 2 swifts scream by the gable
Gable box 9 - 21.42 1st swift home orange 01?
Gable box 6 - 20.54 1st swift home
Gable box 2 - 21.05 1st swift home orange 18 who was in gable box 3 in 2022
Gable box 5 - 21.05 1st swift home
April 30th -
Gable box 7 - 20.54 1st swift home orange
over night singles in 2, 5, 6, 7 and 9
21.25 two swifts trying to enter boxes
May 1st
over night singles in 2, 5, 6, 7 and 9
May 2nd 
Gable box 3 - 07.54 a swift arrives and leaves at 08.10
Gable box 2 - 19.01 two swifts arrive. The 2nd in is nervous. Both leave at 19.10
Gable box 2 - 21.05 the 1st back is nervous. 21.13 the 2nd arrives
Back door 3 - 21.13 the 1st has returned
Gable box 5 - didnt come home tonight
May 3rd
Gable box 3 - 05.25 orange 18 arrives
Gable box 9 - 05.35 2nd arrives
Gable box 2 and 3 the pair stay aprt over night
Gable box 9 - mate didnt come home last night
Orange 18 and mate sleep in gable box 2
May 4th
Gable box 9 - mate didnt come home last night
Orange 18 and mate sleep in gable box 2 and 3
May 5th
gable box 3 - 05.55 a nervous swift arrives while orange 18 is inside. Both leave at 06.45
Gable box 1 - 07.10 a swift arrives and leaves at 07.22
Gable box 2 - 07.27 a nervous swift arrives and leaves at 07.35
Gable box 3 - 13.37 orange 18 arrives with the mate. Both leave at 14.08
Gable box 9 - 18.47 swift arrives followed by an awkward swift. A new mate? It has no rings
Gable box 2 - 18.52 a swift arrives and leaves at 19.02
Gable box 9 - 18.52 an intruder arrives but leaves very quickly. Is this the actual mate who has been awol for 2 days?
Gable box 3 - 20.14 the pair arrive and leave at 20.44
Orange 18 and mate sleep in gable box 2 and 3
May 6th
Gable box 9 - 11.25 another fight
Gable box 2 - pair from box 2 have relocated to Gable box 3
Orange 18 and mate sleep in gable box 2 and 3
May 7th
under eave 4 - 08.41 1st has returned. It left at 09.19
under eave 4 - 10.00 a swift is back and leaves at 10.01
under eave 4 - 10.02 a swift is back and followed by 'bangers'
under eave 4 - 10.06 an intruder arrives causing a major fight birds ringed orange 25 and orange 27
  
under eave 6 - 10.16 a swift arrives and leaves immediately
Gable box 7 - 13.25 mate arrives
Gable box 6 - 16.57 mate arrives
Orange 18 and mate sleep in gable box 3
May 8th
gable box 9 - 11.41 3 swifts arrive staring a fight including orange 27. One is ringed orange 29
Orange 18 and mate sleep in gable box 2 and 3
May 9th
under eave 4 - 06.00 orange 25 returns to the nest for the frst time since the fight on 7th
under eave 4 - 11.47 orange 25 returns and leaves at 11.52
Back door 3 - 12.33 orange 25 arrives and leaves at 12.39
Orange 18 is bringing nest material to gable boxes 2 and 3
Orange 18 and mate sleep in gable box 3
May 10th
Orange 18 and mate sleep in gable box 3
May 11th
Gable box 4 - 10.42 a swift orange 25 arrives and leaves at
Back door 3 - 13.25 the mate arrives both leave at 14.28
Orange 18 and mate sleep in gable box 2
May 12th
gable box 8 - 07.28 a swift, orange 25, arrives and leaves at 06.50
gable box 8 - 08.22 a swift, orange 25, arrives and leaves at 08.32
Orange 18 and mate sleep in gable box 2
May 13th
gable box 8 - 12.44 two swifts, orange 14 and 25 arrive. Both leave at 13.30.
Gable box 8 - 19.15 orange 14 arrives and leaves at 19.40
Gable box 8 - 19.41 a swift arrives arrives. 19.45 the mate arrives
Orange 18 and mate sleep in gable box 3
May 14th
Orange 18 and mate sleep in gable box 2
May 15th
gable box 6 - first egg 8 days back together They have been in their nest box for 19 hours
Gable box 9 - first egg 12 days back together They have been in their nest box for 15 hours
Orange 18 and mate sleep in gable box 2
May 16th
gable box 2 1st egg 14 days back together They have been in their nest box for 15.5 hours
Gable box 5 - 09.56 a swift arrives and leaves at 10.01 orange?
May 17th
gable box 6 - 2nd egg
gable box 9 - 2nd egg
May 18th
7Gable box 2 - 2nd egg
Gable box 6 - 2nd egg
gable box 8 - 1st egg 5 days after moving house
gable box 5 - 12.11 a swift arrives and leaves at 12.26 orange17?
gable box 5 - 12.25 a swift arrives and leaves at 12.33 orange17?
Gable box 1 - 22.17 a swift with no ring arrives
May 19th
gable box 2 - 09.11 the last time the pair are together
Gable box 7 - 1st egg 12 days back together
Gable box 9 - 3rd egg
Gable box 3 - 18.07 a swift with no ring enters and leaves at 18.17
Gable box 5 - orange? enters a few times today
May 20th
Gable box 8 - 2nd egg
Gable box 1 - 06.33 orange 18 arrives and leaves at 06.44
Gable box 1 - 09.56 orange 18 arrives and leaves immediately
Gable box 3 - 12.56 orange 18 and mate are in the wrong box. They leaves at 13.17
Gable box 5 - 14.17 the pair are reunited. Both leave at 14.39. First back has been missing from 12th to 17th
Gable box 2 - eggs unattended all day
May 21st
Gable box 2 - 1 egg fostered to gable box 7
Gable box 3 - orange 18 spends the night in the wrong box
Gable box 2 - eggs unattended all night
Gable box 3 - 04.37 orange 18 leaves
Gable box 2 - 04.37 an agigitated orange 18 arrives but doesnt stay
Gable box 2 - 08.32 an agitated orange 18 arrives but doesnt stay
up to 09.22 orange 18 enter Gable box 3 4 times
Orange 18 mate hasnt been seen since 09.21 on 19th
Under eave 4 - 11.56 a nervous investigator arrives and leaves at 11.57
Gable box 3 - 20.52 orange 18 arrives and leaves at 20.53
May 22nd
Gable box 2 - 2nd egg fostered to gable box 7
Gable box 2 - 04.31 orange 18 arrives and leaves
Under eave 4 - a swift stays all night leaving at 05.40
Gable box 3 - 09.08 to 09.10 orange 18 is inside
Under eave 4 - 09.17 a nervous swift arrives and leaves at 09.28
Under eave 4 - 12.00 leading a mate to the box?
Under eave 4 - 21.56 a swift arrives
May 23rd
Under eave 4 - the swift leaves at 06.38
Under eave 4 - t14.49 the swift arrives and leaves at 15.01May 24th
Gable box 2 - 07.52 a swift, no rings, enters and stays until 08.22
Under eave 4 - 09.16 a swift, no rings, arrives and stays until 09.34
Under eave 4 - 13.30 a swift, no rings, arrives and stays until 13.37
Under eave 4 - 13.57 a swift, no rings, arrives and stays until 14.09
Under eave 4 - 13.57 a swift, no rings, arrives and stays until 14.09
Under eave 4 - 21.05 a swift, no rings, arrives and stays until 21.09
Gabale box 4 - 21.24 a swift, no rings, arrives and leaves at 21.26
May 26th
Gable box 2 - 13.30 two swifts arrive. Both leave at 13.59. Is this the mate of orange 18 who has been missing for 7 days?
Gable box 2 - orange25 arrives and leaves immediately
May 29th
increase in swift numbers today
9am a lone house martin flew by the gable and returned to have a closer look. It didnt stay
May 31st hottest day of the year 24C
June 1st
Gable box 5 - 1st egg 12 days together
June 2nd
Gable box 2 - 1st egg 7 days back togther for a 2nd go
Gable box 1 - 10.29 a swift, no rings, arrives and stays to 12.54
Gable box 1 - 13.51 a swift arrives and leaves at 14.08
June 3rd
24C
June 4th
Gable box 6 - 1st chick out after 15 days
Gable box 2 - 22.39 a prematute soft shell/no shell egg is laid on the box floor
June 5th
Gable box 1 - 10.31 an intruder arrives causing a 1 minute fight
Gable box 1 - 11.25 a nervous investigator, no rings, arrives
Gable box 1 - 11.52 a swift from Gable box 2 arrives causing a 4 minute fight
Gable box 1 - 20.58 a ringed intruder follows the occupier. Both fall out at 21.06
June 6th
Gable box 1 - 10.33 a mate has been found. Both arrive together
Gable box 1 - one leaves at 13.49
Gable box 1 - one leaves at 13.49
Gable box 1 - 15.35 both togethr again and leave at 16.38
Gable box 3 - 19.21 a nervous swift, no rings, arrives and stays until 20.11
Gable box 3 - 20.19 a nervous swift, no rings, arrives and stays until 20.35
June 12th
Gable box 2 - 03.26 a soft shell egg is laid
a thermometer is added to Gable box 4
June 13th -
Gable box 4 - max temp in a box 32.1C at 18.29. Max of 65% humidity
June 14th
Gable box 2 - 2nd egg is laid
Gable box 2 - 08.19 an intruder from Gable box 3 causes a small fight. Same sex? Maybe
 
max temperature in a 33.8C at 20.19. Max of 45% humidity
June 15th
30C outside
Gable box 4 - max temp is 33.5C at 19.25 Max of 46% humidity
June 16th
Gable box 4 - 26.5C at 17.07. Max of 47% humidty
June 17th
Max temp in gable box 4 24.1C at 19.40 Max of 65% humidity
June 18th
Gable box 1 - 1st egg after 12 days together
Gable box 4 - Max temp 28.3C at 19.00
June 19th
max temp 26.5 at 17.14
Gable box 2 - a soft shell egg is laid
Gable box 5 - two eggs disappear like magic - watch closely
June 20th
Gable box 4 - max temp 25.6 at 17.40
June 21st
Gable box 1 - 2nd egg
Gable box 4 - max tem 22.6 at 15.30
June 22nd
Gable box 4 - max temp 27.5 61% humidity at 19.28
Gable box 2 - last night the pair stayed over night
June 24th
Gable box 4 - 28C at 18.40 and a max of 78% humidity
June 25th
Gable box 4 - 23C at 16.55 and 61% humidity
June 26th
Gable box 5 - 06.52 a missing swift returned. Last seen 08.37 June 22nd
Gable box 4 - 19.9C at 19.21 and 80% humidity
June 27th
Gable box 4 - 19.9C at 19.37 and 66% humidity
June 28th
Gable box 2 - 07.38 a swift arrives and leaves at 07.46. 1st time since June 22nd
Gable box 4 - 19.6C at 19.21 and 61% humidity
July 8th
Gable box 4 - 27.9C at 19.21 and 70% humidity
July 15th
Gable box 6 - 1st chick fledges
July 16th
Gable box 9 - 13.12 1st chick fledges
July 18th
Gable box 6 - 22.04 2nd fledges
Gable box 8 - 22.52 chick fledges
July 19th
Gable box 9 - 09.26 2nd chick fledges
July 20th
Gable box 7 - 21.37 1st chick fledges
July 21st
Gable box 7 - 08.39 2nd chick fledges
July 23rd
Gable box 7 - 10.50 3rd chick fledges
How long do adults stay post fledging
Box 1 - failed first time breeders
Box 2 - failed first time breeders
Box 3 - not in use
Box 4 - didnt return in 2023
Box 5 - failed established breedrs
Box 6 - 8 and 16 nights
Box 7 - 13 nights
Box 8 - 15 nights
Box 9 - 20 nights
Box 10 - not in use
Box 11 - not in use
Who has been where? Intrusions and fights
orange 25, from back door 3 and orange 27, from gable box 7, fought in under eave 4
orange 27, from gable box 7 and orange 29, from gable box 9, fought in gable box 9
orange 25 from back door 3 intruded in under eave 4
orange 25 from back door 3 intrudes on gable box 4
orange 25, from back door 3, investigates gable box 8 two times in one morning 12/5/23
orange 25, from back door 3, arrives in gable box 8 with the mate 13/5/23
  • A history of orange 14 and orange 25
    • June 5th and June 9th 2021 a pair of swifts move in to gable box 10.
    June 13th 2021 two swifts start using back door boxes 1 and 2. Swifts have stopped using gable box 10.
    June 14th 2021 the pair start using back door 3 where they rear a single chick.
    May 12th 2023 they relocate to gable box 8 - I saw them do it
    Can a swift emerge from a nest box 3m off the ground and clear a 1.5m gate?