FrancheskoSep 7, 2024
kim_harding ✅

Anyone noticed that the swallows gathering? It is really mind-blowing when you realise what they are about to do...

Correction: The image turns out to be the migration of Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) and not Swifts (Apus apus) as I had been led to believe. The source is the Eurasian African Bird Migration Atlas https://migrationatlas.org/node/1843

Bird Migration Atlas

This online Migration Atlas covers the huge geographical area represented by two continents, encompassing the flyways between Eurasia and Africa. Movements in time and space of 300 bird species are mapped and analysed drawing on data gathered by European Ringing Schemes over more than a century and collated by the EURING databank.

Sep 7, 2024 at 1:32pmWeb
Show threadkim_harding ✅Sep 7, 2024
Following the correction above, if you want a map of Swift (Apus apus) migration, it is here
https://migrationatlas.org/node/1756
Bird Migration Atlas

This online Migration Atlas covers the huge geographical area represented by two continents, encompassing the flyways between Eurasia and Africa. Movements in time and space of 300 bird species are mapped and analysed drawing on data gathered by European Ringing Schemes over more than a century and collated by the EURING databank.

Show threadSean Eric FaganSep 7, 2024
@kim_harding We have something like 7 house swift nests on our hours (in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, IE). (To make it clear, they're called house swifts by people here, but they're just A. apus.)
Show threadSwiftSep 9, 2024

@kim_harding I love how swifts don't all go to the same place. it's like ...

Sarah: Screetch! Who knows the way? I just followed Steve last year and I'm not doing that again.

Simon: Screetch! And I was following you!

Stephanie: I followed Simon!

Steve: Screeetch! Um, so I *was* heading to Morocco, but took a little nap on the wing, as you do, and woke up in Malawi, looked behind me and half of us had followed me!

Show threadMamiyaMan 🇨🇦 🇺🇦Sep 7, 2024
@kim_harding https://youtu.be/uio1J2PKzLI?si=sjq22cdZ4vRxmg-r
- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Show threadBashaSep 7, 2024
@mamiyaman @kim_harding
#ObligatoryMontyPythonReference
Thank you for making it!
Show threadKit EverhillSep 7, 2024
@kim_harding I don't know about swallows, but we're pretty sure we saw our resident swift arrive back at its nest on our balcony yesterday, here in Durban (they left at the end of April).
Show threadkim_harding ✅Sep 7, 2024
@RickEtyhat Here in Edinburgh, I didn't see as many swifts this summer as I would normally expect to see 😞
Show threadKit EverhillSep 7, 2024
@kim_harding Well, we've only seen one of them so far. I've no idea if they pair up when they get here, or just travel separately, or maybe if one of them's died... or even if it's the same pair.
Show threadPeter MiddelkoopSep 7, 2024
@RickEtyhat @kim_harding
Nice! Here near Amsterdam they arrive end of april and leave end of July. I've got two swift nests under the roof tiles of my house. And a complete colony in my street.
Show threadKit EverhillSep 7, 2024

@Petermid @kim_harding

This is one of our swifts a few years ago.

Show threadPeter MiddelkoopSep 7, 2024
@RickEtyhat @kim_harding
Nice picture! Is this an artificial nest? Here I have common swifts and as far as I know they don’t build their own nests but use natural holes in rocks and houses.
Show threadPeter MiddelkoopSep 7, 2024
@RickEtyhat @kim_harding from 2004 untill 2007 I hosted a webcam. The site is still online. Have a look if you like.
http://swiftwebcam.blogspot.com/2007/09/to-help-you-through-wintertimes.html
To help you through wintertimes.

Video of the season 2005 To help you al getting through the winter of 2007/2008 I posted a video of the season 2005. It covers the arrival o...

Show threadKit EverhillSep 7, 2024
@Petermid @kim_harding No, it was built by swallows, using mud and spit. Then the swifts hassled them until they vacated the premises. Sad to see as the swallows used to sit on our balcony rail and sing to us
Show threadPeter MiddelkoopSep 7, 2024
@RickEtyhat @kim_harding
I am a huge swift fan. But this is sad behavior.
Show threadPeter MiddelkoopSep 9, 2024
@RickEtyhat I have a question. Do the swifts have eggs and chicks over there in South Africa? (You life there, don't you?) Or do they only rest in those nests?
Show threadJohn FrancisSep 7, 2024

@kim_harding do they nest in southern Africa while they are there? They arrive in southern spring, nice weather, food options etc.

It makes me wonder about the balance of nesting between the hemispheres. Some NA birds just migrate far enough to avoid winter and fatten up for 6 months, but others go to all the way to S. America and could definitely nest.

Show threadacmSep 7, 2024
@kim_harding wow, I'd love to see that! not anywhere along those paths. :(
Show threadJohn Q McDonaldSep 7, 2024
@kim_harding They’re working out the physics of grasping and carrying a coconut for the journey. #montypythonandtheholygrail
Show threadKayeMac04Sep 7, 2024
@kim_harding @Tarnport This afternoon the swallows were far more numerous and vocal than usual here in my locality of Co Durham. The weather conditions (mild and humid) were just right for a feast for swallows -I live next to a river, trees, meadow and ponds (mostly thanks to rewilding)- so plenty of flying insects. I felt it was their farewell though, but, as they were so numerous this year, there will be many returning next year. I’ll miss their chatter.
Show threadJillSep 7, 2024

@kim_harding

Calculate their airspeed and velocity?

Show threadMarcus MüllerSep 7, 2024
@kim_harding the figure is cool! Where is it from?
Show threadkim_harding ✅Sep 7, 2024
@funkylab
https://migrationatlas.org/
Bird Migration Atlas

This online Migration Atlas covers the huge geographical area represented by two continents, encompassing the flyways between Eurasia and Africa. Movements in time and space of 300 bird species are mapped and analysed drawing on data gathered by European Ringing Schemes over more than a century and collated by the EURING databank.

Show threadMarcus MüllerSep 7, 2024
@kim_harding thank you!
Show threadJuliaSep 7, 2024
@kim_harding Wish I could join them 😂
Show threadCelloMom On CarsSep 7, 2024

@kim_harding

So Scottish swallows have a second nest in South Africa?

Wow.
I wonder if they lay eggs twice a year.

Show threadkim_harding ✅Sep 7, 2024
@CelloMomOnCars An error on my part, the map is for Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica), so probably not
Show threadCelloMom On CarsSep 7, 2024

@kim_harding

Thanks for the correction.
Still, SOME bird flies from the UK to SA!
Just boggles the mind.

Show threadSpaansolijfjeSep 9, 2024
@kim_harding