Wednesday 24th July 7-9 pm -meet at Hygienic Laundry site (Bowen's pies), top of Harpers Lane.
The plan is to go to as many streets in a rectangle of Eaves Lane, Brooke Street, George Street, Market Street, Park Rd, Preston Street, then Harpers Lane trying to locate nest sites for a benchmark record. Of course, we can also look for colonies of house sparrows, feral pigeons and other 'urban' birds for a similar database.We may also spot bats.
How much we do will depend on participant numbers so please come along if you can.The weather forecast at time of posting this was for variable cloud and 24C!
Swift/House Martin survey
Moderator: Neil Southworth
Re: Swift/House Martin survey
Weather forecast was mostly correct -strong sunshine throughout -as Neil and I surveyed mostly in the grid of streets off Eaves Lane. We found 5 newly recorded sites for house martin with a high probability there are several more. Interestingly all were on gable ends and single nests -no colonies. Perhaps the birds feed together and nest separately in this area of tightly packed streets. Two other sites were located off Eaves lane and Harpers Lane.
Swifts were more elusive but eventually some were seen high over Brooke St then a group of six came lower over Geoffrey St at 8.30. One possible nest site was found but no confirmed nests. Family groups of swifts appear to be being recorded on a separate thread so it is possible the survey is slightly too late -it will be repeated in 2020 a bit earlier.
Lastly, records of any nest sites are still highly valuable for the 'database' -please PM Neil with exact locations.
Swifts were more elusive but eventually some were seen high over Brooke St then a group of six came lower over Geoffrey St at 8.30. One possible nest site was found but no confirmed nests. Family groups of swifts appear to be being recorded on a separate thread so it is possible the survey is slightly too late -it will be repeated in 2020 a bit earlier.
Lastly, records of any nest sites are still highly valuable for the 'database' -please PM Neil with exact locations.
Re: Swift/House Martin survey
Paul, I used to live on Beaconsfield Terrace and there were several nests along there, notably the first gable end on the right hand side (from Harpers Lane direction) and on the gables of Garfield Terrace and Bannerman Terrace, not lived there for 20 years but might be worth a look.
Re: Swift/House Martin survey
Thanks Tony -will do. The real issue is time taken to do these walks (the only way realistically to check if nests are active)so any pointers like yours are most welcome.