I was eating a 99 so the joy level was already high.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.
Swiftwatch™
(198 posts)-
Posted 4 years ago #
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They have reached the badlands of southern Edinburgh. Frankly listless compared to the Auchendinny display, but there they were over the park.
19th May.
Posted 4 years ago # -
@IWRATS: Ah, interesting you should say that. I could have sworn I heard swifts screaming over our house in Fairmilehead this evening. However, I was in the bath at the time and couldn't check because the bathroom window (a) is obscured glass, and (b) hinges at the bottom, so you can't look up at the sky when when you open it.
However, since we had spent the afternoon visiting the Isle of May and gorging our appetite for guillemots, gannets, razorbills, fulmars, kittiwakes, shags, eider, artic tern and, yes, puffins, I am prepared to be magnanimous about missing swifts just this once.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Happy to confirm two swifts spotted surfing the rather lively westerly winds over Fairmilehead this evening :)
Posted 4 years ago # -
I wouldn't be surprised if I have already seen some swifts, but I'm fairly confident that I have now spotted a couple that were circling above Morningside a little earlier, although they were not screaming.
Posted 4 years ago # -
I've been concerned that there seemed to be fewer swifts over the New Town this year - I've only seen flocks of 5 or 6 at a time. However, I'm a bit more reassured now having seen flocks in the mid-teens over the past couple of days. Much more activity at a roof-height level and more noise too. I hope that means they are nesting.
Posted 4 years ago # -
@PS
There are certainly fewer swifts, even allowing for the execrable weather.
Posted 4 years ago # -
I've spotted several swifts since the other week, but have yet to see more than two or three at a time or hear any screaming.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Concerned fans of apus apus ("footless footless") could consider submitting a record of their swift sightings to the RSPB:
https://swiftsurvey.org/Rspb/Home/SubmitRecord
I've just submitted the two sightings I noted on here previously.
Posted 4 years ago # -
New buildings in Portobello to use 'swift bricks'.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Here is some more news about the plight of Swifts and how you can help them.
https://markavery.info/2019/06/12/rspb-press-release-on-swifts/
Cheers
ColinPosted 4 years ago # -
I think that bout of good ole-time Scotch weather has sent our swift friends homeward. Skies empty.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Maybe not all of them: spotted a swift (just the one) overhead as I was pedalling up by Glencorse reservoir this pm.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Both Swift and Swallows winging about behind the Tipereth development on the old Torduff golf course this morning.
Mini-ArobComp and I had a nice time watching them.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Still several of them skimming the eaves of the New Town. Haven't noticed any going into nest holes yet, but they must be at that stage by now.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Whirring away over the Figgate still.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Got to the time of year when we see a good 3 or 4 every night whirring away over the garden :)
Duddingston Swift by Anthony Robson, on Flickr
Posted 4 years ago # -
Yup, couple out last night. Still sparse. This weather.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Big flock of them over the New Town this morning - I'd guess 20 or so swirling around at roof height. Anyone know if the increase is likely to reflect this year's fledglings by now?
Posted 4 years ago # -
Nine weeks from laying to first fledging so could just be, yes.
https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swift/breeding-nesting-habits/
Posted 4 years ago # -
I heard swifts over the weekend and thought of this thread.
Posted 4 years ago # -
much swift action around edinburgh airport
also this, may i humbly recommend
Posted 4 years ago # -
Two swifts tacking into the thunderstorm there, hoovering up winged ants I expect.
10th August so they've been here three months. Heading off now. Let's keep an eye out for the stragglers.
Posted 4 years ago # -
Reports of a big mass of swallows up at thriepmuir reservoir preparing for the off. They said they would like to stay longer but the crazy weather was bugging them (well that was in one tweet I heard)
Posted 4 years ago # -
The first swifts have arrived in southern England. The game is therefore afoot. The high pressure and temperatures may mean a record early first arrival over our silent city.
Watch the skies, bicyclists!
Posted 3 years ago # -
and so it begins
Posted 3 years ago # -
Not even May but I am eyeing the sky with genuine hope. This weather is amazing.
Posted 3 years ago # -
weather is amazing
remembering the two month storm.. was it worth it for this?
would you go same again next year?
Posted 3 years ago # -
My rubber trousers are still hanging on the banister. Might risk washing them today.
I like the idea of a slider bar for winter/summer weather trade-off. It may not be very Presbyterian but I'd ram it all the way over to winter immiseration + summer illumination. Front-load the pain.
Posted 3 years ago # -
the norwegian gambit.. yeah, i'd be up for it
Posted 3 years ago #
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