See the main page for notes, photos, and diaries for other years.
2011-September-1 No sightings since July 31 - so it seems that's when they left? Took the box down today for winter refurbishment, and a chance to examine the 'nest' the birds had been building inside, which I'll leave in place ready for their return. See photos on the main page.
2011-July-31 Birds entered for the night at 8.50pm.
2011-July-30 No sightings yesterday (a very grey day), but the the birds going in and out of the box today at around 3pm, and both entered for the night, one after the other, at 9.07pm.
2011-July-28 Birds still going in and out of box. Both in for the night at 9.16pm.
2011-July-25 By yesterday, I hadn't seen the birds for a few days again. At 9.25pm yesterday evening, one entered the box, and I've seen a bird enter the box twice during today so far. I don't tend to see them come out again, as there is no warning that it's about to happen, and I guess I must often miss them entering as well. At 9.05pm both birds entered one after the other, apparently for the night.
2011-July-18 Still cold and wet. Didn't see anything earlier in the day. At 9.20pm there was a very large group of swifts high in the sky, and at 9.25pm, the pair entered the box one after the other. One of them probably didn't get its approach quite right; dropped away from the box; just cleared the trees in the garden; came round again; and entered at speed on the second attempt. The darkest it's been when I've seen them.
2011-July-17 Poor weather for a few days, and hadn't seen the birds. But at 8pm, two entered the box. First time I've definitely seen a pair going in there.
2011-July-4 Took some photos, quite early in the morning.
2011-July-2 First time I saw swifts entering the box, though can't rule out them using it earlier.