17 Comments
User's avatar
Katherine Hall's avatar

This is great - swifts are always worth noting even if you run out of words. I don’t seem to see them much up the hill but will look longer. This really made me giggle, thanks

Expand full comment
Fee Gilfeather's avatar

My heart leapt when I saw swifts yesterday. They always bring a nostalgia for past summers and hope for the coming one. I enjoyed this poem so much it I finally got round to subscribing. Thank you, I love the Six Things emails, especially the bird ones.

Expand full comment
Cat's avatar

I miss seeing swifts - they don't come to this part of Downunder and they are rare even in the places they do visit. (But we have some interesting birds. It is time you came and met them.)

Expand full comment
Wells Of Goodness's avatar

It’s OK, I’m a swiftie too. 😉

Expand full comment
Deborah Vass's avatar

Mine arrived yesterday in Norfolk and I whooped with joy!

Expand full comment
Janet Pontin's avatar

The anticipation is growing in Perthshire

Expand full comment
Shirley McCann's avatar

I thought I heard 2 about 10 days ago, never spotted. Then Tuesday I nearly wrenched my neck as 8 or 9 screamed across and circled my sky. All afternoon they chased across the sky the sun having brought out a zillion flying things . My thoughts turned to how many you had spotted Lev

Expand full comment
Andrew Ross's avatar

Could I add swift saliva soup? As in bird's nest?

Expand full comment
Tom Kimmerer, PhD's avatar

You left out the one word that all swift aficionados want to see: Taylor.

Expand full comment
James Kinsley's avatar

Love this

Expand full comment
Hope Fuller's avatar

Since we are on the subject, I have to ask you something. In 'Light rain.....' you seem to say that mallards fly faster than swifts. I'm sorry, what?? Is this true? Have I misread it?

Expand full comment
Janet Pontin's avatar

A screech, I looked up, they're here in Perthshire!

Expand full comment
Alison Wilkinson's avatar

An amazing piece of writing! Still waiting in my little bit of Manchester... 🤞

Expand full comment
Renee's avatar

Wonderful... simply wonderful!

Expand full comment
Jennifer Wilkinson's avatar

Had my first gang of three over the house this morning. Friday treat!

Expand full comment
Emily Lovegrove's avatar

Never too many words for swifts!! 😊

Expand full comment