SWIFTS 💚💚

Hello and welcome back to a new post on swifts. These beautiful creatures are one of my favourite birds and I was delighted when a few evenings ago, I saw one flying high above my house- the first of these migrants I've seen this year.

Swifts are amazing birds. They are the fastest birds in level flight (the peregrine falcon is fastest in a dive, and I reckon gravity helps a lot) and only weigh the same as a Cadbury's Creme Egg, just 40g. Now, we know that swifts migrate to and from Africa and are only in Britain for 3 months per year. However, in the 1800's people thought they hibernated, and would dig up likely spots in the ground where they thought they might find a sleepy swift. They even thought they might hide in the mud at the bottom of ponds!

Swifts hardly ever land- their large wings and toes make it hard- so they have adapted to do everything on the wing. They can sleep while flying and even shower by flying through the rain! And baby swifts do press ups in the nest to strengthen their wings.

If that hasn't convinced you to love swifts, I don't know what will! But swifts, like so many other birds, are under threat and there are things that we can all do to help:

1. Record any swifts you see around you that might be nesting nearby. This helps scientists and people who work in conservation to work out what can be best done to help swifts. Find out more here.
2. Find out about more that you can do to help swifts at the RSPB's page., including putting up a nest box, installing a swift brick and even making a pond. But don't worry, there's simpler activities too!
3. Tell friends and family about swifts and encourage them to do their bit to help these amazing migrants.

And just before I finish, the RSPB's WildArt competition is now open- the deadline is 27th August so that's plenty of time to get working on something. Prizes include a £50 art voucher!

Have a great week! Ayla :)