Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!

Not a call for help but to watch out - there may be swifts about!  Last Mayday was the first reported sighting of a swift in Tisbury.
 
And yes, we are excited.  Our Chairman, Peter Shallcross, got funding for 20 new boxes through the Farming in Protected Landscapes scheme and these are already in place - that's five new swift hosts and more boxes on some existing swift homes. 
 
Highlights last summer include:
'Just seen the swift busy feeding its young in swift box' - Abby Eaton's photo clearly shows a parent bird's pouch full of insects harvested on the wing for its young
'What a show they put on tonight - they scream past so close to the house and also go right up to the nest'
'I was hanging out of my window watching the screaming parties and one made straight for me and went up into the eaves 3ft away with a thud!  I can hear them messing about when I'm lying in bed (such joy).'
'I counted 49 in a party ...'
'Young swift peeping out of box'
 
Just some of the reports sent in - Abby's amazing photos capture the thrill of those evening 'screaming parties'.
 
But we need more reporters!  To share the excitement, please do start now reporting activity to me - birds flying into nest holes - often invisible, looks like they're going straight into the wall - or boxes, screaming parties (how many, where?).
 
From June through early July, it's actual breeding we need to record.  Just sit somewhere unobtrusive (in a car is perfect for your comfort!) between 9.15 and 9.45 in the evening.  Fix your gaze on your chosen nest site or box and note the time and detail of comings and goings.  Of course you can do that for your own house, but if you'd like to help with somewhere else, please do just get in touch.
 
Have a screamingly good summer!

Elizabeth Forbes
(As appeared in May's Focus Magazine)