Day 47 of Lockdown

No, this isn’t the Swift edition because time is passing quickly, at day 47 we all know it isn’t.  This is about the avian kind after the coincidence of the RSPB and Colchester Group of the Essex Wildlife Trust both drawing attention to them today.

The update finishes, as they often do with a musical parody, but given the main messages in this update are light, today’s carries a little weight.  It is offered in light of some unsocial-distancing experienced in many places yesterday evening and folks partied.

RSPB Announces “Happy World Migratory Bird Day”

Right now, remarkable things are happening in nature, with swifts, swallows and other summer visitors returning from Africa. We’re enjoying welcoming them back.  Migration is one of the wonders of the natural world. Did you know that UK swifts make one of the longest migration journeys in the world, flying around 14,000 miles every year?

These avian adventurers certainly deserve our awe, but sadly they also need our help. The number of swifts breeding in the UK has dropped dramatically, down 57% between 1995 and 2017.

Which is why the local news is so important.  If you are unsure whether you are seeing a Swift, Swallow, House or Sand Martin, the RSPB gives you a good rundown of the differences here.

Colchester Group, Essex Wildlife Trust News

In their latest newsletter, they feature West Bergholt, as they say:

The Colchester Local Group has had a really successful time lately in regards to being involved with exciting wildlife projects. Thanks to your donations, we have been able to contribute to a number of these in and around Colchester.

We are supporting the ongoing West Bergholt Swift Project. They have been installing Swift boxes and call devices on buildings in the village in an attempt to get these fascinating and beautiful birds to breed. Claire Rodie. Fundraising and Events Assistant at the Trust is organising this. To find out more you contact Claire on 01621 862996 or look up West Bergholt Swift Project on Facebook.

Quarantine (is Not Quite Over) – Billie Jean Parody