Still 3 pairs of Swifts in nest boxes here. One in a camera box with 2 young, they relaid after an intruder caused a fight. The other 2 pairs are new, in nest boxes not used previously. I can hear multiple young chirping in each from eggs laid early July. 6 pairs bred in total, 3 pairs in 2024

All was going so well with my Swifts, this box is newly used and now paired up. We’ve had a clueless Swift circling this evening, trying to work out how to land, crashing into the brickwork many times. It has now ended up in with the pair and is getting a beating from both.

As of 2pm this afternoon this Swift nest box now has a pair getting to know each other. This nest box hasn’t hosted Swifts before, did have a wasp nest inside though last year. The neighbouring nest box was used and that pair have yet to arrrive, I’m hoping they still will and they aren’t these ones

This is my second Swift nest box to be colonised, now a pair in there re-establishing their bonds. 6 Swifts screaming around the house this evening without calls being played, which is very good for this early in the Swift season here @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @sosswifts.bsky.social

2nd Swift into a box last night, a box not used by Swifts before. Last year the box hosted a wasp nest and had to be cleared out in the winter. I wouldn’t have known either Swift was there without cameras, sneaky blighters. @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social

My first Swift has returned back here to a nest box used last year, it was my second of my boxes to be taken up. Now playing The Cramps, ‘Let’s Get Fluffed Up’ very loudly in celebration. @sosswifts.bsky.social

Save Our Suffolk Swifts have a full project update talk next Thursday 24th April in Hintlesham Community Centre IP8 3PS at 7:30pm. 231 Suffolk boxes were used in 2022 & 263 in 2023. How many in 2024? @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social Suffolk Swift lovers are most welcome.

Thrilled to see an article on our project in this weekends EADT! @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social #suffolkbirding

We also still have a small number of free nest cups for Dedham Vale NL - please get in touch asap if you have a nearby House martin colony and you are interested in free nest cups !

Whimbrels, Sanderling, Bar-tailed Godwits, Ruff and Red-breasted Mergansers the best of a rising tide off Sandbanks this afternoon. Turnstones and Oystercatchers boosted the numbers and entertained in miserable weather. #PooleHarbour

An interesting Australian Night Parrot article here #WorldBirding www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02...

An interesting Australian article here; conserving Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos #Conservation www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01...

An interesting US article here apnews.com/article/sand...

An interesting Canadian article here on conserving beach nesting Piping Plovers; human activity and dogs off leads on the main issues there. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

An interesting Australian article here #Conservation www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01...

Super icy stroll today up the Deben, once the freezing fog lifted. Colour ringed Avocets, Kingfisher, Bar-tailed Godwit and Spotted Redshank the best amongst a nice selection of waders and wildfowl. #SuffolkBirding #UKBirding @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

An interesting Australian owl article here #Migration www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01...

Bird deaths at McCormick during fall migration: 2022 - 771 2023 - 1,280 2024 - 18 All it takes is stickers.

An interesting Australian article here, accidental Little Tern conservation www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01...

An interesting Australian Flying Fox article here. Happy New Year. www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...

An Australian article here on the disturbance of a Fairy Tern colony there www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...

There are some excellent field trips coming up in 2025, all put together by @wildlifegig.bsky.social. The trips are good for those new to birding and for the more experienced. For information on membership of Suffolk Bird Group go to www.suffolkbirdgroup.org SuffolkBirds

The latest @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social The Harrier is now out with members and will be my final one as editor after 7 years! Thanks to all the contributors over that time, including @lesjwc.bsky.social who provided the front cover image for this edition. #SuffolkBirds

Always a pleasure to come home to the latest Suffolk Bird Group Harrier magazine, and good to get the 2025 indoor talks & outdoor walks on the calendar early. Magnificently edited by @wildlifegig.bsky.social as always. #SuffolkBirds @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

An interesting Australian article here about helping Regent Honeyeaters #Conservation www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...

Midge Ure was gracious to write many excellent songs over the years, playing Ipswich tonight.

An interesting Australian article here; the fantastic recovery of Lord Howe Island’s flora & fauna after the eradication of feral cats, pigs, mice and rats. www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11...

Super Suffolk Bird Group walk around Dunwich this morning; up the coast then back around through the forest. Great Egret, Spotted Redshank and close in Red-throated Diver were super, along with Whooper Swan north & Guillemots south too. @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

Whilst staying in Leeuwarden we took the ferry from Holwerd across to the outer island of Ameland. A White-tailed Eagle was harassing the Barnacle Geese on the coast putting up clouds of ducks and waders, quite a sight.

Super non-birding short trip over to Holland; Leiden, up to Leeuwarden then via Delft on the way back. The overnight Harwich-Hook ferry was simple and the drive across the polders stunning.

A wet & windy WeBS count this afternoon. I was the sole soul on my stretch of the Deben, the solitude was super. #Sodden

The Boquer Valley didn’t disappoint. Cleopatra butterflies, Ravens and a Booted Eagle over the car park then Spotted Flycatcher, Redstarts, Firecrest, Wheatear and Ortolan Buntings below the gates. Ace Eleonora’s & Blue Rock Thrushes further on but missed the Balearic Warbler, looked the wrong way..

Cases de Son Real down the coast from Alcudia was an excellent stop. Hoopoes were around the car park and both Bath White & Two-tailed Pasha butterflies were around the museum garden, an ace picnic stop. 12 Shag, 75 Kentish Plover & 30 Audouin’s Gulls were off the beach on S’lllot des Porros

One comet, four satellites and a shooting star seen as viewed from below Broomheath carpark in Woodbridge. Kids were impressed

A lovely older birder couple told us of this little wetland tucked behind Alcudia’s Lidl supermarket by the water park, close to our hotel. Purple Swamphen, Kentish Plover, Great Egret and Little Bittern were amongst the many Black-winged Stilts, Glossy Ibis and Little Egrets. #BirdingMajorca

With strong southerly winds we decided to drive down to the southern tip of Majorca for a sea watch, tucked up beneath the Cap de ses Salines’ lighthouse. Close in Manx & Cory’s Shearwaters passed by and a low flying Eleonora’s Falcon went out hunting, skimming the waves. #BirdingMajorca

A birding stroll around Cuber Reservoir today, western Majorca. Max count of 2 Black Vulture, 5 Griffon Vulture, 2 Booted Eagle and 14 Ravens, plus singles of Osprey, Cirl Bunting and both Black and Common Redstart. Chilly breeze and 17°C up in the hills, 25°C with a Spotted Fly at the hotel

Birding break to Majorca, staying in Alcudia with Crossbills and Sardinian Warblers around the hotel plus Cleopatra & stunning Plain Tiger butterflies in the adjacent scrub. S’Albufera today, super place with close up Red-knobbed Coot (no sniggering) & Audouin’s Gulls being lifers.

A super Australian article on rapid Silvereye evolution www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09...

An interesting Canadian article here, preventing birds hitting windows. www.cbc.ca/newsinteract...

Willow Warbler was (half-heartedly) singing in the garden whilst I moved the moth trap this morning, a first.

Wonderfully humid evening here, still 21°C with a hint of murky mist. Moth trap fired up!

After work trip to RSPB Boyton. Curlew Sandpiper the best. Ruff, Snipe, Lapwing and Green Sandpipers around the same flash too.

Weekend away in Cambridge, beautiful walks around the colleges.

Suffolk Bird Group trip this morning to Landguard Bird Observatory on the southern tip of Felixstowe. Great to see Song Thrush, Chiffchaff and Goldcrest close up & it will be interesting to learn the history of an already ringed Chaffinch

Delivered a Swift Community Set for this elevation of The Anchor pub in Walberswick, Suffolk. Five nest boxes will be fitted along with a 240V call system to help attract the Swifts in next year