Swift Diary 2025
       nb = non breeder from 2024
  bird 1 bird 2 egg 1 egg 2 egg 3 1st out 2nd out 3rd out 1st fledged 2nd fledged 3rd fledged
1 27/4 fail to return                  
2 2/5 5/5 15/5 17/5 AWOL            
3 4/5 4/5 28/5 30/5   due 18/6          
4 4/5 12/5 18/5 20/5   due 8/6          
5 10/5 15/5 13/5 15/5   6/7          
6 26/4 27/4 14/5 16/5   failed          
7 29/4 09/5 18/5                
8 27/4 AWOL                  
9 29/4 failed to return
10                      
11                      
12                      
top 1                      
top 2                      
top 3                      
top 4                      

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                      
 
 
2024 Observations
(bracketed dates are from previous seasons)

nb = non breeder from 2024

 
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
2024 – April 22nd,
2025 – April 26th, April 27th, April 29th, April 29th, 2nd May, 4th May
 
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 and 36

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

gable box 4 – 14 and ?

gable box 5 – 02 and 17

gable box 6 – 19 and

gable box 7 – 03 and 27

gable box 8 – 25 relocated

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 separated in 2024

what happened in the gable boxes in 2024

Box 1 - 2023 failed first time breeders. 2024 reared young
Box 2 - failed first time breeders
Box 3 - new pair
Box 4 - didnt return in 2023
Box 5 - failed established breeders
Box 6 - successful
Box 7 - successful
Box 8 - successful
Box 9 - successful
Box 10 - not in use
Box 11 - not in use
The earliest to return in 2024 were the earliest ever with swifts returning on April 22nd, 26th, 28th and 29th. Will it happen again in 2025?
April 6th
a lone swift has returned to a colony in Crumlin
April 7th
hottest day of the year - 19°C
April 8th
hottest day of the year - 20°C
3-5 house martins high above the house
April 9th
hottest day of the year - 21°C
a lone house martin entered a nest close by
April 11th
hottest day of the year - 23°C briefly 24°C
April 23rd
single swifts seen over Lisbellaw and Holywood
April 24th
3 swifts are RSPb's WoW
April 25th
2 swifts back at Caulside 4 swifts back in Brookborough
April 26th
11am a lone house martin flew up to the gable
gable box 6 - 19.26 first swift orange 19 home
April 26th
gable box 6 - 06.50 orange 19 left
April 27th
gable box 8 -18.49 orange 25 1st home
gable box 1 - 19.59 no ring home 1st
gable box 6 - 20.05 pair reunited
April 28th 19°C
gable box 3 18.6C 20.6 at 18.30
April 29th 23C at 18.00
gable box 7 - 20.13 orange 27 1st home
gable box 9 - 21.19 no ring 1st home
April 30th 27°C temp in a nest box 24.6C at 21.00
May 2nd
gable box 2 - 21.19 no ring 1st home
May 4th
gable box 3 - 07.14 a swift, no rings, arrives
8am very noisy outside
gable box 4 - 12.28 a swift, no rings, arrives
gable box 5 - 10.45 an intruder arrives and leaves very quickly
gable box 3 - 20.47 pair reunited
21.10 a house martin is investigating the apex boxes
May 5th
gable box 2 - 14.35 pair reunited
gable box 5 - 19.17 orange 03 from gable box 3 arrives
May 6th
gable box 1 - 19.00 a swift, no rings, arrives and leaves at 19.162
May 7th
gable box 1 - 11.07 a swift, no rings, arrives and leaves at 11.12
gable box 6 - first egg due but it didnt happen
a swift arrives with sheeps wool
after getting in caught on the way in it retrieves it
May 8th
gable box 3 - 11.00 an intruder caused a fight
gable box 3 - 12.25 an intruder caused a fight
gable box 3 - 12.54 an intruder caused a fight
gable box 3 - 12.56 two fight ending with both birds falling interlocked on the roof below. Ringed orange 36 and orange 41
gable box 3 - 13.10 a swift, no rings, arrives. Where is orange 18. Who are orange 36 and orange 41
gable box 3 - 16.26 orange 36 arrives
May 9th
gable box 7 - 17.35 pair reunited
gable box 8 - swift returns after 8 days absence
May 10th 22°C
gable box 8 - 08.41 orange 25 arrives with a new mate. Possibly the 4th mate. 3 last year in different boxes
back door 3 - frequently today a swift is leading another to this box
May 10th
gable box 5 - 21.40 a swift arrives. No rings! Both residents, not home yet, are ringed
May 11th 24°C
back door 3 - 08.22 unexpectedly and after a few fly bys a swift, no rings, arrives and leaves at 08.25
The video shows the swift arriving, leaving and me tidying the box
May 12th 22°C
gable box 4 - 15.28 a pair arrive
MY 13th 28.8°C at 21.46 in gable box 3
May 14th 18°C
10.30 house martins look at the cups
gable box 6 - 1st egg after 17 days!
15.45 house martins at the gable
May 15th
gable box 2 - 1st egg 10 days together
gable box 5 - 10.02 two arrive. Both, no rings, leave at 10.05
May 17th 30°C in gable box 3
May 18th
gable box 4 - 1st egg 6 days together
gable box 7 - 1st egg 9 days together
May 19th
gable box 2 - 3 eggs not being incubated. Where's the mate?
gable box 1, gable box 8, gable box 9 the lone birds have gone but where?
May 20th
gable box 4 - 2nd egg
gable box 5 - 11.32 orange 19, gable box 6, intrudes. Gable box 5 resident ringed orange 43
May 24th
gable box 1 - 21.20 orange 36 enters the wrong box
Orange 36 has moved to gable box 2
May 28th
gable box 3 - 1st egg. 20 days after the fighting
May 30th
gable box 3 - 2nd egg
gable box 3 eggs unattended 14.16 to 20.47
gable box 1 - 22.05 very unexpectedly a swift with, no rings arrives. Last used 15 days ago
  • where the boxes mentioned below are located
  • May 31st
    gable box 1 - swift has been in 4 times
    gable box 3 eggs unattended 14.39 to 15.38
    gable box 2 - 15.37 a swift, no rings, arrives and leaves at 16.02
    gable box 2 - 18.15 a swift, no rings, arrives and leaves at 18.29
    gable box 1 - 19.14 a swift, no rings, arrives and leaves at 16.02
    gable box 3 eggs unattended 20.23 to 22.03
    gable box 2 - 21.41 a swift arrives and styas overnight
    June 1st
    gable box 8 - 05.10 the swift leaves
    gable box 2 - 05.49 the swift leaves
    gable box 1 - 05.51 a swift arrives and leaves at 06.28
    gable box 2 - 06.45 the swift arrives and leaves at leaves at 07.01
    gable box 2 - 07.18 the swift arrives and leaves at leaves at 07.40
    gable box 1 - 10.25 a swift arrives and leaves at 10.35
    gable box 1 - 11.01 a swift arrives
    gable box 1 - 11.04 a 2nd swift arrives. None are ringed
    gable box 1 - they leave at 11.38 and 12.19
    gable box 3 eggs unattended 16.27 to 18.30
    gable box 1 - 21.19 a swift arrives
    gable box 2 - 21.21 a swift arrives and leaves at 21.36
    gable box 8 - 22.45 a swift arrives and stays all night
    June 2nd
    gable box 2 - 05.05 a swift arrives and leaves at 05.07
    gable box 2 - 05.08 a swift arrives and leaves at 05.32
    gable box 1 - 05.44 the swift leaves
    gable box 1 - 05.49 a swift arrives
    gable box 1 - 05.51 the mate arrives
    gable box 1 - they leave at 07.57 and 08.21
    gable box 1 - 08.23 a swift arrives and leaves at 08.34
    gable box 2 - 08.38 a swift arrives and leaves at 08.40
    gable box 2 - 09.29 a swift arrives and leaves at 09.34
    gable box 1 - 10.23 a swift arrives and leaves at 10.36
    gable box 1 - 10.55 a swift arrives and leaves at 10.59
    gable box 1 - 11.47 a swift arrives and leaves at 12.04
    gable box 3 eggs unattended 18.49 to 19.42
    gable box 1 - 19.57 a swift arrives
    gable box 1 - 20.42 a swift arrives
    gable box 2 - 21.00 a swift arrives but who is it? should it be in gable box 3?
    gable box 8 - 22.13 a swift arrives. Who is it? No rings!
  • where the boxes mentioned above are located
  • June 3rd
  • gable box 8 - 05.41 the swift leaves
  • gable box 2 - 10.40 a swift arrives and leaves at 10.41
  • gable box 1 - 10.44 a swift arrives and leaves at 10.55
  • gable box 1 - 12.19 a swift arrives and leaves at 12.33
    • gable box 1 - 13.56 a swift arrives and leaves at 14.04
    gable box 1 - 14.14 a swift arrives and leaves at 14.28
    gable box 1 - 12.22 a swift arrives and leaves at 12.37
    gable box 1 - 13.56 a swift arrives and leaves at 14.04
    gable box 1 - 14.14 a swift arrives and leaves at 14.18
    gable box 1 - 15.10 a swift arrives and leaves at 15.40
    gable box 1 - 17.13 a swift arrives and leaves at 17.16
    gable box 1 - 17.18 a swift arrives and leaves at 17.35
    gable box 3 eggs unattended 17.55 to 18.39
    gable box 1 - 19.00 a swift arrives and leaves at 19.16
    gable box 1 - 20.51 a swift arrives and leaves at 21.11
    gable box 3 eggs unattended 21.24 to 22.18
    gable box 1 - 21.51 a swift arrives and stays all night
    gable box 2 - 22.05 a swift arrives and lstays all night
    gable box 5 - 22.13 a swift arrives and stays all night. Who is it? This box was last used 20 days ago
    gable box 8 - 22.39 a swift arrives and stays all night
    June 4th
    gable box 5 - 05.02 the swift leaves
    gable box 8 - 05.45 the swift leaves
    gable box 1 - 06.22 a swift arrives and leaves at 07.01
    gable box 2 - 06.49 a swift arrives and leaves at 07.30
    gable box 2 - 07.42 a swift arrives
    gable box 2 - 07.44 the mate arrives. Both leave at 08.34
    gable box 1 - 08.35 a swift arrives and leaves at 08.37
    gable box 1 - 09.35 a swift arrives and leaves at 09.43
    gable box 2 - 09.38 a swift arrives and leaves at 09.55
    gable box 2 - 10.00 a swift arrives and leaves at 10.18
    gable box 1 - 10.18 a swift arrives and leaves at 10.37
    gable box 1 - 11.21 a swift arrives and leaves at 11.56
    gable box 5 - 13.52 orange 43 arrives and leaves at 14.03. Missing for 20 days!
    gable box 3 eggs unattended 13.48 to
    gable box 1 - 14.27 a swift arrives and leaves at 14.40
    gable box 1 - 16.15 a swift arrives and leaves at 16.31
    gable box 3 - 16.16  orange 48 ring?
    gable box 2 - 16.17 a swift arrives
    gable box 2 - 16.18 a 2nd swift with feathers arrives causing a fight
    gable box 2 - 16.48 they are ringed orange 45 and orange 48
    gable box 2 - 19.08 orange 48 arrives and leaves at 20.19
    gable box 3 - 20.48 orange 48 arrives and leaves at 21.04
    gable box 2 - 21.14 orange 48 arrives
    gable box 2 - 21.15 orange 48 arrives
    gable box 1 - 21.17 a swift arrives
    gable box 5 - 21.35 orange 43 arrives and leaves at 21.40
    gable box 5 - 21.41 2 swifts arrive
    gable box 8 - 22.36 a swift arrives and stays all night
    gable box 3 eggs unattended 13.48 to now 22.45. The pair failed to return to the nest
    May 5th
    gable box 5 - 05.26 the new pair leave
    gable box 5 - 05.29 the new pair arrive
    gable box 1 - 05.29 orange 48 arrives and leaves at 05.33
    gable box 3 - 05.47 a swift arrives. The eggs havent been incubated for 15 hours
    gable box 1 - 05.47 a swift arrives.
    gable box 2 - 05.50 a swift arrives and leaves at 06.37
    gable box 1 - 06.39 orange 48 arrives
    gable box 5 - 06.42 2nd leaves
    gable box 5 - 06.50 a swift orange arrives and leaves at 07.29
    gable box 5 - 07.36 a swift arrives
    gable box 1 - 07.54 both leave
    gable box 3 - 08.30 eggs left again
    gable box 1 - 08.23 a swift arrives and leaves at 08.39
    gable box 5 - 09.08.10 the swift leaves
    gable box 5 - 09.08.54 a swift arrives and leaves at 09.16
    gable box 2 - 09.21 orange 48 arrives and leaves at 09.34
    gable box 1 - 09.33 a swift arrives and leaves at 09.50
    gable box 1 - 09.53 a swift arrives. 09.54 orange 48 arrives. Both leave at 10.46
    gable box 5 - 09.53 a swift arrives and leaves at 10.07.29. 10.07.59 a swift arrives
    gable box 5 - 10.10.55 it leaves and returns 10.11.39 and leaves at 10.21
    gable box 5 - 10.25 a swift arrives and leaves at 10.47
    gable box 5 - 10.53 a swift arrives and leaves at 11.05
    gable box 1 - 11.01 a swift arrives and leaves at 11.22
    gable box 2 - 11.18 a swift arrives and leaves at 11.21
    gable box 1 - 12.13 a swift arrives. 12.18 orange 48 arrives
    gable box 5 - 12.20 a swift arrives and leaves at 12.30
    gable box 5 - 12.35 the pair arrive and leave at 12.46
    incubation change over times in gable box 6
    04.58 leaves and returns at 05.43 45 minutes
    06.31 leaves and returns at 06.49 18 minutes
    07.01 leaves and returns at 07.57 56 minutes
    08.04 leaves and returns at 09.50 1hr 46 mins
    10.13 leaves and returns at 11.02 51 minutes
    11.30 leaves and returns at 13.41 2hrs 11 minutes
    13.41 leaves and returns at 15.46 2hrs 5 minutes
    15.50 leaves and returns at 17.31 1hr 19 minutes
    17.40 leaves and returns at 18.37 57 minutes
    18.44 leaves and returns at 21.05 2hrs 21 minutes. Stayed in
    May 6th
    gable box 1 - 05.46 orange 48 arrives. 05.53 the mate arrives. They leave at 07.04
    gable box 5 - 05.53 a swift arrives and leaves at 07.31
    gable box 3 - a swift stays all night until 07.27
    gable box 1 - 07.38 a swift arrives arrives. 07.41 the mate arrives. They leave at 08.17
    gable box 5 - 08.09 a swift arrives and leaves at 08.19
    gable box 3 - 08.20 a swift arrives
    gable box 1 - 09.22 a swift arrives arrives and leaves at 09.39
    gable box 3 - 09.30 the swift leaves
    gable box 1 - 09.47 a swift arrives arrives. 09.49 the mate arrives. Both leave at 10.24
    gable box 5 - 12.10 a swift orange arrives and leaves at 12.19
    gable box 5 - 12.25 a swift arrives and leaves at 12.31
    gable box 5 - 12.33 the pair arrive and leave at 12.43
    gable box 5 - 12.121 the pair arrive and leave at 12.23
    gable box 2 - hasnt been used by orange 48 and mate so far today up to 14.00
    May 7th
    gable box 1 - 06.49 the pair arrive and leave at 09.02
    gable box 5 - 08.07 a swift orange arrivies and leaves at 08.08
    gable box 5 - 08.15 a swift orange arrivies and leaves at 08.49
    gable box 1 - 09.36 a swift arrives arrives. 09.53 the mate arrives. Both leave at 10.11
    gable box 5 - 09.38 a swift orange arrives and leaves at 10.03
    gable box 1 - 10.26 both arrive and leave at 10.54
    gable box 5 - 10.29 a swift orange 36 arrives and leaves at 11.08
    gable box 3 - a swift stays all night until 10.39
    gable box 7 - 17.53 oops a chick is accindentally knocked out of the nest
    gable box 2 - 19.34 orange 48 arrives arrives and leaves at 19.46
    gable box 1 - 20.52 a swift arrives arrives
    gable box 5 - 21.36 a swift arrivies and leaves at 21.42
    gable box 5 - 22.21 a swift arrives
    May 9th
    gable box 1 - the pair stay all night until 05.40
    gable box 5 - the pair stay overnight until 05.47
    gable box 5 - 05.52 the pair arrive and leave at 06.52
    gable box 1 - 06.28 the pair arrive and leave at 09.32
    gable box 5 - 08.06 a swift arrives and leaves at 08.22
    gable box 3 - 08.53 orange 48 arrives to incubate and leaves at 09.52
    gable box 5 - 08.06 a swift arrives and leaves at 09.16
    gable box 1 - 09.38 the pair arrive and leave at 09.02
    gable box 1 - 09.39.09 a swift arrives and leave at 09.39.29
    gable box 1 - 09.42 ta swift arrives. 09.47 the mate arrives. The leave at 10.32
    gable box 3 - 10.02 orange arrives to incubate and leaves at 09.52 11.31 an egg is dumped
    gable box 5 - 09.50 a swift arrives and leaves at 10.06
    gable box 5 - 10.19 a swift arrives and leaves at 10.30
    gable box 3 - 12.56 orange leaves
    gable box 3 - 13.06.17 a swift arrives and leaves at 13.06.50
    gable box 1 - 14.55 the pair arrive. Both leave at 15.21
    May 10th
    gable box 1 - The pair have permanently relocated here from gable box 2
    gable box 1 - they are in and out regularly
    gable box 5 - the pair continue to use it regularly
    May 11th
    gable box 1 - they are in and out regularly
    gable box 5 - the pair continue to use it regularly
    gable box 3 - 22.18 orange arrives
    gable box 2 - 22.29 a swift, no rings, arrives
    May 12th
    gable box 2 - 04.56 the swift leaves
    gable box 3 - 04.49 orange leaves
    gable box 3 - 09.37 orange arrives and leaves at 10.18
    May 13th
    Breaking News
    yellow 57 ringed on 11th July 2021 has been seen at a colony 85km 54 miles away in Brookborough
    gable box 1 - 1st egg after 39 days together
    gable box 3 - 07.29 a swift, no rings, arrives and leaves at 08.18
    gable box 3 - 13.33 a swift, no rings, arrives and leaves at 14.44
    gable box 2 - 22.43 a swift, a late investigator, arrives and leaves at 23.50
    June 14th very heavy rain all day
    investigators causing havoc as darkness falls
    gable box 4 - 22.30 an investigator enters causing a fight
    June 15th
    gable box 5 - 2nd egg
    gable box 2 - 07.09 a swift arrives and leaves at 07.34
    gable box 3 - 12.30 a swift arrives and leaves at 12.32
    swift duets slowed down 
    May 16th 24C
    where do swifts keep the bolus?
    In the gape/mouth not in the throat or crop
    when do swifts sleep?
    22.20 a lot of noise this evening caused by 3 silent bangers/investigatorsexploerers
    gable box 2 - 22.30 a swift arrives and leaves at 22.59
    May 17th
    gable box 2 - 11.36 orange 48 arrives with feathers arrives. Wrong box! Leaves at 11.47
    gable box 1 - 11.50 orange 48 arrives with the feathers
    investigators agian tonight
    gable box 2 - 22.28 a swift arrives
    gable box 7 - 22.34 an explorer arrives and leaves when the resident arrives
    May 18th
    swifts mating on the nest
    a new camera to watch the gable nest boxes
    June 19th 24°C 26°C in a nest box
    gable box 2 - 07.54 a swift, no rings, arrives and leaves at 07.17
    June 20th 31°C outside 32.7°C in a nest box
    June 21st 26°C at 2pm
    gable box 10 - 11.19 a swift arrives and leaves at 12.41
    gable box 1 - 22.23 an intruder arrives very quickly causing a 4 hour fight
    gable box 10 - 22.23  a swift arrives and leaves at 22.48
    June 22nd
    gable box 10 - 07.17 a swift arrives and leaves at 07.53
    June 23rd
    gable box 10 - 19.39 a swift arrives and leaves at 19.59
    gable box 10 - 21.41  a swift arrives and leaves at 22.31
    June 27th
    gable box 10 - 12.13 a swift arrives and leaves at 13.08
    gable box 10 - 13.13 a swift arrives and leaves at 13.08
    gable box 10 - 12.13 a swift arrives and leaves at 13.08
    gable box 10 - 17.13 a swift arrives and leaves at 18.48
    gable box 1 - 17.13 an intruder arrives causing a short fight. Possibly the swift that was following the one in 10
    gable box 10 - 20.27 a swift arrives and leaves at 20.47
    gable box 10 - 20.54 a swift arrives and leaves at 21.26
    gable box 10 - 21.37 a swift arrives and leaves at 21.44 21.39 it climbs on the camera moving the view
    June 28th
    gable box 10 - 08.07 a swift arrives and leaves at 08.39
    gable box 10 - 09.02 2 swifts arrive causing a fight. One leaves at 09.19. The other at 09.56
    gable box 10 - 12.38 a swift arrives and leaves at 13.14
    gable box 10 - 14.45 a swift arrives and leaves at 15.03
    gable box 10 - 17.43 a swift arrives and leaves at 15.59
    gable box 10 - 19.13 a swift arrives and leaves at 19.20
    camera sorted
    gable box 10 - 17.13 a swift arrives and leaves at 18.48
    gable box 10 - 20.52 a swift arrives and leaves at 20.58
    gable box 10 - 21.57 a swift arrives and leaves at 21.59
    gable box 10 - 22.09 a swift arrives and leaves at 22.13
    gable box 10 - 22.33 a swift arrives
    gable box 10 - 22.41 a 2nd swift arrives. They stay all night
    June 29th 26°C. 29.2°C in a nest box
    gable box 10 - 10.15 a swift arrives and leaves at 10.25
    gable box 10 - 10.30 a swift arrives and leaves at 10.59
    gable box 10 - 12.27 a swift arrives and leaves at 12.38
    gable box 10 - 18.33 a swift arrives
    gable box 10 - 18.34 a 2nd swift arrives. Botrh leave by 21.05
    gable box 10 - 22.03 the pair return and stay over night
    June 30th
    gable box 10 - 09.37 a swift arrives and leaves at 10.07
    gable box 10 - 10.45 a swift arrives and leaves at 10.51
    gable box 10 - just one over night
    July 1st
    gable box 10 - 06.12 a swift arrives and leaves at 07.09
    gable box 10 - 07.14 a swift arrives and leaves at 07.30
    gable box 10 - 07.50 a swift arrives. 07.52 the mate arrives
    gable box 10 - both leave at 09.51
    gable box 10 - just one over night
  • July 2nd to 10th not a lot to report. The new pair conbtinue to use gable box 10
  • no investigators in vacant nest boxes
  • July 11th 31°C.  33.4°C in a nest box until 21.10
  • swifts at 22.20
  • July 12th 31°C. 34.2°C in a nest box until 21.04
  • July 13th 27°C. 32.2°C in a nest box until 19.45
  • July 14th
  • gable box 10 - a whiskered swift
    • based on the discovery of one of my swifts turning up in County Fermanagh
    here's a map showing an approximate radius of 80km/50 miles from my house.
    Literally anywhere in Northern Ireland including south west Scotland!
    missing birds - their diaries
    gable box 1
    April 27th 19.59 1st arrives and stays over night
    April 28th 29th 30th it returns every night
    May 1st it returns at night
    May 2nd it leaves at 07.43 but doesnt come home that night
    May 3rd  a swift arrives 9 times and stays over night
    May 4th it leaves at 06.52
    May 7th a swift stays over night
    May 8th a swift arrives late but doesnt stay
    May 9th a swift stays over night
    May 10th a swift comes in once in the morning
    May 15th a swift arrives at 20.06 but doesnt stay over night
    May 20th 20.42 a swift arrives but stays for just 3 minutes
    gable box 2
    arrive on May 2nd and 5th
    May 15th 1st egg
    May 18th just one over night
    May 19th one over night
    May 19th 10.35 a swift arrives.12.20 a 3rd egg is laid. leaves at 12.46. Returns 15.15 to 16.15. Nothing over night
    May 20th eggs incubated just 2 times
    May 21st nothing all day but the pair over night
    May 22nd  nothing all day but the pair over night
    May 23rd one visit during the day. Pair over night
    May 24th 2 visits today
    gable box 5
    the established breeders, both ringed, have failed to return
    May 10th 20.40 a swift without a ring arrives and stays over night
    May 11th - 13th it comes in every night
    May 14th it arrives 5 times during the day and stays over night
    May 15th 10.00 a mate arrives. Both stay just 3 minutes.
    May 16th one swift over night
    May 17th 6 entries during the day and stays over night
    May 18th 10.59 a pair in the box. Just one over night