Specially Apus College with it’s 30+ nests is a lovely place to see them fly into nests. It’s open there and there are many nests.
He saw two fly over Apus College and while we stood talking I saw one fly with a swoop around a tree and disappear. It happened so fast I was not sure whether I saw it or not, but LP saw it a few days later and saw it enter a nesthole, so I was right.
The next day I went back, but stood on the side Deberiot street and I saw one Swift come flying in, made a grand circle and fly into nesthole B4. Another one disappeared into the inner court of the Pope’s College to a possible nest there.
On 22 April I saw 9 flying over, all in the same direction, still on their migrating route.
From earlier experiences I left the Swifts to fly to their nesting grounds the next few days, because I know it’s futile to try and find nests now, it’s too early.
Sunday 2 May I was one fly into a nesthole known to me on Geldenaaksevest 72 on the far right under the eaves.
Sunday was not such a good day and it was quite cold still, but I decided to go outside and see if there is any movement near my nestboxes.
When I went outside my attention was captured by very dark clouds in the distance with a group of swifts flying in front of it. Suddenly a very loud shrieking and noise made me look up at my own nestboxes.
There was a Great Tit hanging out of nestbox 1 making a terrible sound. I realized that a Swift has returned and kicked it out.
I never noticed that there were Great Tits in the nestboxes, because I didn’t look at the nestboxes until now. The poor Tit was sorrowfully shrieking while jumping and flying bewildered from roof to roof.
My Swift was back!
4 May. It was dreadfully cold outside, there was a slight wind which added to the cold. I found a truck to hide behind and be out of the wind. Later I looked and it was 9°C.
From 20:00 till 20:45 I was watching the nestboxes and I saw movement in 1 and 2 of Swifts and Great Tits in 3. Actually I went inside when Agnieszka found a little bird on the sidewalk. The german lady who walks her dog every night and shows a lot of interest in the Swifts were talking to me, so I did not watch very closely then.
It must be a baby Great Tit thrown out of the nestbox by a Swift!
On 5 May another two baby Great Tits were thrown out of the nest and the tragedy went on to Thursday 6 May when another two followed. It’s truly very sad to see this.
What a waste.
