Inside the Swift box: occupied for 6 weeks by a non-breeding pair of Swifts, they brought in a lot of feathers to line the nest form, hopefully ready for breeding for the first time next year

Inside one of the Swift bricks: I thought nothing had been in but possibly some feathers and poo near the entrance

Endoscopy for Swift boxes With the Swifts now gone, I have been trying out a £16 endoscope camera attached to my phone. Have been looking inside my Swift bricks and box. All it needs is a step ladder and a bamboo cane. Videos of results in the comments Also finds Lego under the sofa...

This makes me very happy. The pair are still occupying the box after 5 weeks. They are not seen so often now as there is less need to defend the nest site from other non-breeding Swifts, but are still returning to roost each night some time after 9pm

Lots of lovely Swift watching early this morning in the Park Drive area of Baldock, with 6 nests found, 4 of which were previously unrecorded. Also single nests confirmed in Walkern and Wallington. An extra bonus in Baldock was an active House Martin nest!

As we near the end of the Swift season, our Hertfordshire survey currently has 923 nests recorded. More nests to confirm from previous years and many yet to be recorded, especially in parts of South and West Herts. The www.swiftmapper.org.uk screenshot shows the 36 nests from St Albans in 2026

Huge amounts of Swift activity at Redwood Court, Bishop's Stortford, this morning. A lot of bangers prospecting for nest sites, much to the annoyance of some of the established breeders. The best place to watch Swifts in the area?

First Swift taxi of the year for me. This Swift was found in the street in Sawbridgeworth with a wound on the back. I took it to the brilliant South Essex Wildlife Hospital, where it joins 25 other Swifts already in their care. Grounded Swifts always need an expert rehabber

Cranbourne Gardens, Welwyn Garden City at 6am this morning Probably 100 Swifts in the sky. Why are there so many? The "yearlings" are here for a very short time, perhaps 3 weeks, and will soon be heading back to Africa. Whilst here they cause mayhem!

Brand new occupants of my ɓox. Claimed their nest space and pair bonding ahead of hopefully returning to breed next year

My Swift nest survey this morning was in St Albans, where I recorded 14 new nests for 2026, 4 of them previously unknown. 34 so far this year in the city, with many more still to find Swifts really like the gable ends above the shops at The Quadrant

Herts Swift Nest Survey update: As of 1st July, we have records of 728 Swift nests in Hertfordshire in 2026. There are still plenty to find, especially in the southwest of county The screenshot from www.swiftmapper.org.uk shows nests and screaming parties found in Hemel Hempstead

Second Swift in the box, possibly for the first time. Both are in there now having a loud discussion This makes me very happy

After four years of trying I have a Swift in my box! I changed the call I was playing yesterday and the results were immediate, with two Swifts trying to enter straight away,and within 24 hours one was in. The other of the potential pair has been trying Over the moon! Playing calls is essential

Are there any Swift nests at the Market Hill Dentists in Royston? Yes!

There are suddenly a lot more Swifts in the sky, but they aren't newly fledged chicks. Here is my explanation of what is going on:

A Robin feeding a Dipper chick in Perthshire - seems very unusual?

"Chimney" Swifts: unusual Swift nest locations found in Potters Bar: on the front of chimneys in a gap above brickwork. Confused as to the purpose of these chimney shapes But, a risky place to nest as Jackdaws also on many of the chimneys and the ledge above the nest is a perfect predator perch

Blocked Swift nest number 9 for Herts in 2026 is in Bishop's Stortford. Scaffolding, new fascias and soffits and the nest is gone. Not illegal as the work was done before the Swifts arrived

After disaster in Sandon, I moved on to survey Royston and found 10 Swift nests. 5 of them were in Swift boxes, including 3 at the mill opposite the railway station, whilst 4 natural nests were at the excellent Princes Mews colony

And here is blocked Swift nest number 8 for 2026 in Herts. Before and after photos so you can spot the difference. 8 blocked nests found in 10 days of survey work.

Blocked Swift nest number 7 this year for Herts is in Sandon. It is the only known nest site in the village, although there could be others not yet found Swifts have probably nested under the eaves of this old cottage for many years

Also pleased to see Swift boxes in Borehamwood. Shame not Swift bricks integrated into the wall. House Sparrows ignoring the Sparrow Terraces and using the Swift boxes instead, which is why they should always be required on new developments

Delighted to find a new colony of Swifts in Borehamwood this morning thanks to a tip off. 3 nests plus 5 more in the other known colony in the town, all found by call and response. All nesting in brick air vents and very vulnerable to be blocked. I am now up to 46 nests found so far this year

Here is the sixth blocked nest site in Herts this year. The fifth was scaffolded as well, but quick action by the local Swift group got it removed

Herts Swift Nest surveys for 2026: six days in, and here is the fourth nest site from last year that has been blocked. Not illegal as Swifts have not yet returned here. Property owner aware and not interested in maintaining the nest hole. This, not insects, is the reason Swifts are in decline.

Black Redstarts nesting in a Swift brick in Winchester!! We advocate for these as universal nest bricks and they really are. No other types of integrated bird box are required @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social @ukrbbp.bsky.social @sosswifts.bsky.social

The Swifts are back at Redwood Court, Bishop's Stortford. With an estimated 60 nesting pairs, we believe that this is one of the largest single-building colonies in the UK! We hope that Trinity Estates will keep their promise to protect the Swifts and delay any scaffolding until the birds have left

Records from Tring, Elstree, Baldock, Northchurch, Garston, Ware, St Albans, WGC, Ware and Bishop’s Stortford, but not yet here in Sawbridgeworth

A week in Tirol, Austria, has produced a nice list of birds from the in-laws garden: singing Black Redstart and Serin, Crested Tit, Ring Ouzel and flocks of up to 165 Alpine Chough Photos are from front and back of the house