Forest Hill SE23 & Lewisham Borough Swift Group

Naturescape
#41

Is this your photo by the way?

#42

Hi Rebecca - yes - though 98% of my attempts involve just blue sky! :grinning:

As an aside we are missing your photos- are you still taking some of your local birds?

#43

So many swifts around tonight. Was sat in the garden just watching them for an hour or so - always amazing to see these birds.

#44

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#45

I’ve seen posts on the Swift FB Group that swifts have been spotted over Kilmorie - I saw one bird warlier today but no idea whether it’s a swift, swallow or house martin etc - either way looks like the sky will soon be full again with the sight (and sound) of swifts.

#46

There are lots on Honor Oak today hopefully to stay locally post their migration - look up - you will probably hear them as well! Might be louder than norm with the lack of flights etc, especially around dusk.

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#47

I never see any. :frowning:

#48

Too swift!

I know, hat, coat!:grin:

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#49

You can normally hear them first - I find towards the end of the day, when I guess lots of things are flying in the air, is a good time to see them - they have a very distinctive sound so once you recognise it you will know they are around. They fly quite low sometimes.

If you take a walk towards Blythe Hill and walk down Brockley Rise and then up Lowther or Duncombe Hill you’d have a pretty good chance of seeing them - maybe wait a few weeks as they are just turning up now so maybe looking for nesting sites. They were flying over houses on Whatman \ Bovil Road and around there at lunchtime today, was great to see.

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#50

Anyone who has ever tried to photograph swifts will appreciate these superb shots.

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#51

I see the Lewisham Swifts Facebook Group notes swifts have taken up 2 of the nest boxes put up 2 years ago with the help of the local fire brigade on Wynell Road. Great news.

Link Here

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#52

I absolutely love these birds. I live on St German’s road and at this time of year every evening just before dawn you get hundreds flying over the vista in our garden. It is the most theatrical and therapeutic thing to watch (especially with a glass of rose!). I didn’t know they were in decline. Would be hugely supportive of any local preservation plans!

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