Monday 11 May

The weather was cool and overcast today in Oxford but the last week has seen Swifts returning in increasing numbers and the screaming parties around the tower were in full swing from early in the morning despite the cold weather. Although many adults were on the wing we still managed to count 19 birds on the nest and now have at least 8 eggs.

Monday 4 May

It was cool and overcast this week as we climbed the tower to survey the swifts and clearly not inviting enough for many of our first returning birds to be out on the wing. We found fourteen birds on the nest, twelve of them already in pairs and two single birds presumably awaiting the return of their partners or whose partners enjoy a bracing early morning flap whatever the weather! The temperatures are expected to rise this week, which should see more birds returning and more activity around the tower from earlier in the morning.

Thursday 23 April

Great news for all you swift-watchers and diary readers! Swifts were seen around the tower today, an early return presumably prompted by the warm sunny weather.