Swift (Apus apus)
Species
Swift (Apus apus). Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on April 24th 2024.
Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on April 24th 2024.
(1/2000th sec at f7.1. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

L: 17 - 18.5cm; WS : 40 - 44 cm

The Swift is a sooty brown colour, but in flight against the sky it appears black. It has long, scythe-like wings and a short, forked tail.

They can be found throughout the UK, but are most common in the south and east.

They breed in towns and villages, nesting in cracks in walls or under tiles.

They arrive in late April or early May, and depart for Africa in August.

The Swift has Amber status, owing to population decline and loss of habitat.

Sightings

29-Apr-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (50+)
26-Apr-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (20+)
24-Apr-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (50+)

22-Jun-2023 : Steart Marshes, Somerset (3)
02-Jun-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (50+)
16-May-2023 : Rodborough Common, Glos (1)
21-Apr-2023 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (3)

16-Jul-2022 : Chimney Meadows, Oxon (1)
24-Jun-2022 : Leighton Moss, Lancashire (12)
02-Jun-2022 : Chimney Meadows, Oxon (1)
30-May-2022 : Otmoor, Oxon (8)
21-May-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (50+)
08-May-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (50+)
29-Apr-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (50+)

27-Aug-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (12+)
09-Aug-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
11-Jul-2021 : Standlake Common, Oxon (4)
28-May-2021 : Marston Meadows, Oxon (4)
24-May-2021 : Abingdon, Oxon (1)
23-May-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (750+)
18-May-2021 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (1)
11-May-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (100+)
10-May-2021 : Abingdon (NE), Oxon (4)
09-May-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (200+)
05-May-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
30-Apr-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (50+)
29-Apr-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (10+)
28-Apr-2021 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (100+)

04-Sep-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (4)
29-Aug-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
06-Aug-2020 : Abingdon (NE), Oxon (1)
12-Jul-2020 : Banbury, Oxon (1)
11-Jul-2020 : Standlake Common, Oxon (10)
06-Jul-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon (2)
11-Jun-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (6)
07-Jun-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
22-May-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (12)
17-May-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (8)
15-May-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
14-May-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (100+)
11-May-2020 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (5)
02-May-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon

13-Aug-2019 : Bowdown Wood, Berks (1)
11-Aug-2019 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (12+)
07-Jul-2019 : Abingdon (NE), Oxon (12+)
20-Jun-2019 : Standlake Common, Oxon (2)
20-Jun-2019 : Daneway Banks, Gloucs (4)
16-Jun-2019 : Otmoor, Oxon (8)
03-Jun-2019 : Otmoor, Oxon (2)
24-May-2019 : Loch Morlich, Highland (1)