Swiftly Slipping Away

Andorinhão-preto - Apus apus. Originally uploaded by LSemedo.

Towards the end of last week, I realised that I hadn't seen a swift for several days. It always takes me by surprise when they leave. Surely the summer can't be over yet!

At the end of July Liz and I found ourselves mesmerised by the boisterous gangs of swifts that were chasing each other pell-mell through the skies over our neighbourhood. It was as if they were playing an anarchic aerial game of tag - such a joyful sight.

Now there are just a few individuals left and soon they'll be gone too.

Swifts are such weird and wonderful birds. Every year I tell myself that really I ought to read the classic monograph Swifts in a Tower by David Lack. Every year I forget. Oh well, maybe next year...

Comments

[John]

Our chimney swifts will be sticking around for another couple months. They are delightful to watch, and I will miss them when they are gone. Swifts are one of the pleasures of urban birding.