Swift nestlings prepare for flight

Young swifts wing exercising in nest box- 26th July. Pencil in sketchbook. Copyright Jonathan Pomroy 2012.

Studies of a young swift- 26th July. Pencil in sketchbook. Copyright Jonathan Pomroy 2012.

Swifts gazing out of the nest box- 26th July. Watercolour in sketchbook. Copyright Jonathan Pomroy 2012.

The young swifts exercise their wings inside the nest box. They also spend an increasing amount of time gazing out of the entrance of the nest box.

Swift nestlings- July 26th

Swift nestlings- 26th July. Photo copyright Jonathan Pomroy 2012.

Young swifts with their partial albino father- 26th July. Photo copyright Jonathan Pomroy 2012.

The nestlings are now very well grown and not being fed as frequently. They make the crucial first flight in the next few days. As soon as they leave the nest they are on their own. They learn to feed themselves and migrate south immediately. Swifts seem to have done very well here this year with higher numbers than 2010/ 2011.

Swift nestlings- 15th July

Young Swifts- 15th July

Young Swifts- 15th July

The swifts are growing very well and being fed frequently despite the continued wet weather. Their wing and tail feathers are much shorter than the adults still. But these should grow rapidly now in time for their all important first flight in the last few days of July or the first few days of August. Once swifts fledge they are on their own, not returning to the nest site and finding food for themselves.