Wild Dorset
SWIFTS AND SWALLOWS Niina Silvennoinen, Volunteer, Dorset Wildlife Trust
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wifts and swallows, gliding across the spring skyline, are summer visitors to the United Kingdom from Central and Southern Africa. The two are often confused with each other, but pay attention to the colouring, the sound, and the swallow’s more distinctive, long forked tail, and you will be able to tell them apart. Swifts are brownish soot in colour, appearing virtually black in flight, whereas swallows sport a glossy blue plumage with a red patch under the chin. Slightly bigger with a medium size wingspan, swifts have a piercing scream, unlike swallows who emit a more pleasant twitter as they perch on the side of a building. A magnificent flier, the swift is even capable of sleeping on the wing, but with its small feet, rarely lands except for nesting purposes. Swallows enjoy a range of habitats and can be seen in both urban and rural contexts, preferably near open spaces with water sources and a plentiful supply of insects. They produce two or three broods a summer and can be observed from March to September. The swifts’ annual visit is much shorter for us to enjoy; they head back to their wintering quarters in July, with the fledgling youngsters migrating independently as soon as they leave the nest. Like many other species, these endearing birds have seen a reduction in their numbers over the last few decades. This is partly due to climate change and changes in farming practices; increased use of pesticides has reduced their vital food source of insect populations. Both are protected, but the deeper loss in swift numbers has resulted in it having an amber conservation status, whilst the swallow is still ‘in the green’. Nesting sites have also disappeared as new development takes over old barns and farm buildings — favourite nesting sites for both species. These sites need urgent safeguarding and the Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Kingcombe Centre is an annual host to these migrants; our teaching studio, Swallow Barn, is even named after them! Each year, a gap is left in the barn for the swallows, allowing them to return to their familiar roost. Swifts are not forgotten here, either: the eaves of the Centre’s main barn are strictly swift territory for the summer. During times of social distancing and staying at home, you may be lucky enough to see these magnificent birds in flight from your gardens or window. Let us know if you do, using #dorsetwildlifewindow on social media. Sign up to our emails for ideas of things to do from home and find out the latest advice for visiting nature reserves at this time at dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk
40 | Bridport Times | May 2020