Salisbury Swift Safari

words  by Jeni Bell

The continued adventures Of Jeni , Bill and Millie……..

Simply put – a swift is a bird of magnificent capacities. The sooty coloured bird, that appears black as it soars through our skies is a summer visitor to the UK, where it comes to breed. It’s long, scythe shaped wings allow it immense amounts of manoeuvrability as it swoops on insects, or streams through rows of houses and into tiny holes in the eaves of houses where it likes to nest. They spend so much time in the air that they have evolved tiny feet and legs, so if you see a bird perching on fences, wires or even on the ground then you’re looking at a swallow or house martin – both confused with swifts.

To me they encapsulate summer. I can’t think of a warm summers evening without imagining it accompanied by the shrill screams from parties of black arrows as they race past buildings, jinking and diving in all directions. So, what better way to spend a fine Thursday evening, then heading out on a swift safari through the city streets of Salisbury.

To read more head to; https://www.seekingwildsights.co.uk/home/salisbury-swift-safari