EFC

[ EFC ]

Six Baby Swifts

Posted by Lombardo <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=Lombardo' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 13, 2025, 9:56 am

Just fledged the nest in the alleyway between us and our neighbours and our flying round the front garden landing in the trees and on our upstairs windowsills.

Ace this!!

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Posted by Chinaski <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=Chinaski' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 14, 2025, 8:05 pm, in reply to "Six Baby Swifts"

Had some wasps knocking about here lately.
Annoying bastards. I wish they'd all die.

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Posted by Steam Engine <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=Steam+Engine' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 14, 2025, 7:21 pm, in reply to "Six Baby Swifts"

No swifts, but I’ve got nesting barn swallows in the garage, some above the (I think empty…) bat box I put up & some on the opposite side in the last week as well.
Last year we also had House Martins on all sides of the house but it’s been painted & they haven’t nested this year (but are everywhere above & round the house as I type…..).
Nesting boxes will be going up in a few weeks, but don’t know if they’ll prefer their own if/when they come back next year.

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Posted by Lombardo <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=Lombardo' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 14, 2025, 7:24 pm, in reply to "Re: Six Baby Swifts"

Mine turned out to be swallows as well! I’m just a dope!

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Posted by Boom94 <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=Boom94' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 14, 2025, 7:29 pm, in reply to "Re: Six Baby Swifts"

Haha tbh mate I used to have a real problem with “hirundines” so that’s why I knew ….

I also once shouted in a red kite in the eden valley (a rarity at the time)- turned out to be a buzzard with some tail feathers missing. And I’d reported it the county recorder!!!

The rspb warden at haweswater (who was shit hot) once stalked a Guillemot at Wet Sleddale. It was plastic.

Everyone fxuks up- Or they’re telling porkies! 🤣

You can either book me now or wait for Cliff Thorburn. But if Cliff Thorburn
goes AWOL you’re up slack alley.

Re: Six Baby Swifts

[img]https://i.ibb.co/wF8Lhg6f/28-D8-FCA3-39-F4-4-AFB-B840-1-BAA9-E7-E705-E.jpg[/img]

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Posted by GG <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=GG' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 14, 2025, 6:22 pm, in reply to "Six Baby Swifts"

Landing in trees is a good observation.
Once adults they rarely do that.

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Posted by jajomami <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=jajomami' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 14, 2025, 1:36 pm, in reply to "Six Baby Swifts"

We have a duck pond near our house. About a month ago, when it was really hot, the mother and 11 baby ducklings had gone for a wander. I though they were a bit far away (there are a couple of busy roads nearby), so I spent the next 15 minutes escorting them back to the pond. They decided to visit almost every house on the way back.

http://soundcloud.com/user-718378762/everton-1984-85-review

http://soundcloud.com/user-718378762/everton-1986-87

Re: Six Baby Swifts

I absolutely love this thread. 💙

You can either book me now or wait for Cliff Thorburn. But if Cliff Thorburn
goes AWOL you’re up slack alley.

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Posted by The_Hillbilly <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=The_Hillbilly' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 14, 2025, 10:28 am, in reply to "Six Baby Swifts"

Nice. We've been watching a pair of seagulls bring up a baby on the flat roof opposite our house for a month or two. The kids call it Kev, and we've watched it grow from a little grey fluffball.

Yesterday was launch day. Make or break for the lad as if they balls up their first takeoff they often hit the deck, break something and can't take off.

It was touch and go for a while as he had a few scary slides down the pitched tiles. Before he went for it.

My well meaning neighbours were out with a bed sheet to catch him in case he fell off. I tried to tell them they were stressing the parents out as they see them as predators. Can't tell entitled southerners anything though so they just stood there with it as the parents and a few other gulls went banzai at them.

Thankfully not needed as Kev awkwardly wanged his way through a few loops in the sky before carrying out a clumsy landing.

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Posted by Platinii <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=Platinii' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 14, 2025, 11:45 am, in reply to "Re: Six Baby Swifts"

Shirley it should be Steven?

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Posted by NLB2 <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=NLB2' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 14, 2025, 7:25 pm, in reply to "Re: Six Baby Swifts"

Ha ha...deserved more

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Posted by newbie <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=newbie' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 14, 2025, 10:42 am, in reply to "Re: Six Baby Swifts"

One of the highlights of the spring/early summer for me, loads of nesting pairs on the roofs around here. Even worth the noisy fuckers kicking off at 5am for the happiness it gives me seeing the little ones grow (and man alive do they grow, feels like they double in size every couple of days, the hungry bastards).

I bet in a few weeks time your neighbours will be out trying to look after them when they’re fully-grown but still grey and fluffy, walking round the street whinging to be fed. The genuine line on this from the experts btw is that they are simply lazy and should be ignored; they’re used to the parents doing everything for them so expect it long after they’re capable of doing it themselves

*side glance at teenager*

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Posted by Chembo <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=Chembo' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 14, 2025, 8:20 am, in reply to "Six Baby Swifts"

Lovely job.

My house backs on to a riverside pathway that takes me into the local nature reserve, i do a daily feed there with wildfowl seed at one of the lakes there. I buy it in sacks from Home Bargain over Stechford, works out pretty cheap.

I've got my regulars i feed there every day, including Wally One Foot, a female goose who lost her foot after getting tangled up in discarded fishing line last year. Her foot was hanging off by its tendon for a week or so and she was in agony, i didn't think she'd see out the week, let alone the winter, but the foot fell off in the end and she hobbles about on the stump of her leg, using it like a crutch. Her husband is Clive Whitehead, he's got a big white splodge on his forehead, so i named him after the former WBA fullback.

There's a couple of Swans as well, the female was sat on three eggs for months on one of the little islands but they didn't hatch unfortunately. She's started getting back out on the water with her fella now. He chased last springs two Cygnets off a couple of months ago. There's loads more geese and ducks as well.

This spring we had eight baby goslings and fifteen baby ducklings. Two of the goslings died unfortunately, one got savaged by a dog that was off his/her lead, not sure about the other one. All the ducks are intact. The survivors are all on the daily feed list and are developing really well.

Nature and wildlife is amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Llxoa_E9TLw

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Posted by bobcherry <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=bobcherry' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 13, 2025, 9:39 pm, in reply to "Six Baby Swifts"

Wonderful stuff.
Up to 10 years ago we lived in the Peak District.
Our house had a colony of Swifts under the eaves.
I alwa
They came every year in first week of May to nest.
Most evenings they'd just tear round and the house like a squadron of Spitfires.

Privilege of our lives.

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Posted by drexxxler <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=drexxxler' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 13, 2025, 1:16 pm, in reply to "Six Baby Swifts"

I’ve been tracking some shelducks down the cazzie; never even heard of them till I saw them last year ; and cormorants on sevvy park lake

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Posted by Sherpa <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=Sherpa' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 13, 2025, 1:00 pm, in reply to "Six Baby Swifts"

Kind of related ......

We have about 5 bee houses on the fence at the back of the garden. I can sit for hours watching them packing up the 'tubes' with bits of leaf after they have laid their eggs. They're normally done by late July then they die and that's it until the bees hatch out about May next year.

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Posted by Billybookcase <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=Billybookcase' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 14, 2025, 10:44 am, in reply to "Re: Six Baby Swifts"

I had a bumble bee nest in my shed, they all died off while I was away in June.
Will they have laid eggs that hatch out next year, or am I ok to remove the nest?

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Posted by Sherpa <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=Sherpa' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 14, 2025, 10:52 am, in reply to "Re: Six Baby Swifts"

These are Masonry Bees not Bumble Bees. You should be fine to remove the nest but please don't quote me if you get stung to buggary!!

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Please refer to the Greg template for bee nest removal. I believe he was something of an expert in this field.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Llxoa_E9TLw

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Posted by Mr OW Bol <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=Mr+OW+Bol' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 13, 2025, 11:42 am, in reply to "Six Baby Swifts"

Ace that. There seems to be loads of them this year.

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Posted by Essy <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=Essy' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 13, 2025, 11:20 am, in reply to "Six Baby Swifts"

We've got 5 baby robins in a window box I feel like a proud dad suppose I'll be waving them off shortly

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Posted by NoelBlakeFanClub <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=NoelBlakeFanClub' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 14, 2025, 8:40 am, in reply to "Re: Six Baby Swifts"

Robins used to nest in my garden (until I ripped out all the ivy when redoing the whole thing). Protecting the chicks from neighbourhood cats became a pastime of mine during lockdown. They were my surrogate babies.
What was interesting was how the parents would chirp like mad if a cat came into the garden (to get my attention?), but when I was out there they were totally chilled.

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Morning Blakey, hope all's well. Funny you should post on a thread about Swifts this morning given that it looks like you're about to sign John Swift on a Bosman.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Llxoa_E9TLw

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Ha! Indeed...

No idea if he will be the player Reading fans loved or the one Baggies fan were indifferent about? He's coming home of course, which hopefully drives him to give 100% etc.

In summary - meh.

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Yeah, he's from Gosport i think so will be something of a homecoming for him.

I wasn't a massive fan, but its not an easy time to be an Albion player, given expectation levels set against resources. He's a good player on his day and i think he'll do a decent job for you.

Surprised you haven't come in for Ged Wallace as well, think we'd release him if someone came in for him, he's got a year left on his current deal and he's surplus now. Started off his league career at Fratton. Only 31 years old, could do a job out on the right for you, good pro Ged is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Llxoa_E9TLw

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Much as we loved Jed back in the day, I'm not a massive fan of bringing back old players (although I'm hoping we go for Abu Kamara at a discount from Hull. See also: Robertson at Cardiff).
Marlon Pack worked out great to get us promoted but was found wanting last year. Matt Ritchie did OK but was (not surprisingly) a shadow of his former self (he's leaving this summer) - expectations aren't exactly stellar amongst Pompey fans that Swift will be a rock star for us, but he should be a good squad addition and provide more options up front.

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Posted by NLB2 <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=NLB2' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 13, 2025, 9:59 am, in reply to "Six Baby Swifts"

Tremendous viewing. Love watching the swifts and swallows in summer. Something very therapeutic about them.

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Posted by Boom94 <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=Boom94' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 13, 2025, 9:58 am, in reply to "Six Baby Swifts"

Marvelous mate….

They don’t have a second brood usually so enjoy it now!

You can either book me now or wait for Cliff Thorburn. But if Cliff Thorburn
goes AWOL you’re up slack alley.

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Posted by Lombardo <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=Lombardo' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 13, 2025, 10:07 am, in reply to "Re: Six Baby Swifts"

Yeah seems wild, but I think the whole lot will be off to Africa in a few days.

We installed three swift boxes on the front of the house and they ignored them completely to nest in the eaves of our alleyway!

Ha.

https://streamable.com/icxcme

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Posted by Obrima3 <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=Obrima3' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 13, 2025, 10:32 am, in reply to "Re: Six Baby Swifts"

Really tickled me this. We also have some bird nesting boxes placed strategically where the birds ignore for the hedge or the eaves.

Formerly obrima2

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Haha typical isn’t it..

Beautiful to watch, great video mate. Can watch them for hours can’t you, a pedant would say that that’s a swallow - but seen as I’m not….👀🤣

You can either book me now or wait for Cliff Thorburn. But if Cliff Thorburn
goes AWOL you’re up slack alley.

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Posted by Lombardo <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=Lombardo' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 13, 2025, 10:23 am, in reply to "Re: Six Baby Swifts"

What a dope! I just assumed it was juvenile swift colouring because we’re in a swift area but you’re bang on.

Re: Six Baby Swifts

Haha both cracking birds mate…

Love seeing them 👍

You can either book me now or wait for Cliff Thorburn. But if Cliff Thorburn
goes AWOL you’re up slack alley.

« Back to index

641

[ EFC ]