The swifts have arrived. I saw three coming in from the south and diving and darting high up in the Etruria Valley, 9:10 this morning. They’re on time, according to Mr. Robert Garner’s Natural Kalendar for North Staffordshire…
May:
The swift in the 2nd week.
His Kalendar for the Potteries was based on observations made over many years from 1838 to 1864, and for the birds “much longer”.
Update: Definitely here now: a big flock of about 20+ of them, re-enacting the Battle of Britain high over the Etruria Valley, 6th June 2022.
Swifts seem scarce in Torbay at the moment. I love to see them diving and hunting in the valley below us, or out over the bay and the cliffs. They look amazing with their scythe- like wings.