 Swift (Apus apus). Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on April 24th 2024. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on April 24th 2024. (© David Hastings) (1/2000th sec at f7.1. Click image for larger version) Description L: 17 - 18.5cm; WS : 40 - 44 cm The Swift is a sooty brown colour, but in flight against the sky it appears black. It has long, scythe-like wings and a short, forked tail. They can be found throughout the UK, but are most common in the south and east. They breed in towns and villages, nesting in cracks in walls or under tiles. They arrive in late April or early May, and depart for Africa in August. The Swift has Amber status, owing to population decline and loss of habitat. Sightings | 18-Aug-2025 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 08-May-2025 | : | Slimbridge, Glos | (2) | | 24-Apr-2025 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (50+) | | 22-Apr-2025 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (6) |
| | 25-Aug-2024 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 14-Jun-2024 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | (2) | | 24-May-2024 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (20+) | | 20-May-2024 | : | Aston, Oxon | (4) | | 29-Apr-2024 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (50+) | | 26-Apr-2024 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (20+) | | 24-Apr-2024 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (50+) |
| | 22-Jun-2023 | : | Steart Marshes, Somerset | (3) | | 02-Jun-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (50+) | | 16-May-2023 | : | Rodborough Common, Glos | (1) | | 21-Apr-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (3) |
| | 16-Jul-2022 | : | Chimney Meadows, Oxon | (1) | | 24-Jun-2022 | : | Leighton Moss, Lancashire | (12) | | 02-Jun-2022 | : | Chimney Meadows, Oxon | (1) | | 30-May-2022 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (8) | | 21-May-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (50+) | | 08-May-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (50+) | | 29-Apr-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (50+) |
| | 27-Aug-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (12+) | | 09-Aug-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 11-Jul-2021 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (4) | | 28-May-2021 | : | Marston Meadows, Oxon | (4) | | 24-May-2021 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | (1) | | 23-May-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (750+) | | 18-May-2021 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (1) | | 11-May-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (100+) | | 10-May-2021 | : | Abingdon (NE), Oxon | (4) | | 09-May-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (200+) | | 05-May-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 30-Apr-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (50+) | | 29-Apr-2021 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (10+) | | 28-Apr-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (100+) |
| | 04-Sep-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (4) | | 29-Aug-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 06-Aug-2020 | : | Abingdon (NE), Oxon | (1) | | 12-Jul-2020 | : | Banbury, Oxon | (1) | | 11-Jul-2020 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (10) | | 06-Jul-2020 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 11-Jun-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (6) | | 07-Jun-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 22-May-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (12) | | 17-May-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (8) | | 15-May-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 14-May-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (100+) | | 11-May-2020 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (5) | | 02-May-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | |
| | 13-Aug-2019 | : | Bowdown Wood, Berks | (1) | | 11-Aug-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (12+) | | 07-Jul-2019 | : | Abingdon (NE), Oxon | (12+) | | 20-Jun-2019 | : | Daneway Banks, Gloucs | (4) | | 20-Jun-2019 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (2) | | 16-Jun-2019 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (8) | | 03-Jun-2019 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 24-May-2019 | : | Loch Morlich, Highland | (1) | | 22-May-2019 | : | Grantown-on-Spey, Highland | (2) | | 09-May-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (100+) | | 07-May-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 30-Apr-2019 | : | Abingdon (NE), Oxon | (3) | | 28-Apr-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (20+) | | 26-Apr-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (6) |
| | 19-Aug-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (4) | | 16-Aug-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 25-Jul-2018 | : | Vercors Natural Park, France | | | 24-Jul-2018 | : | Vercors Natural Park, France | | | 22-Jul-2018 | : | Vercors Natural Park, France | | | 20-Jul-2018 | : | Vercors Natural Park, France | | | 19-Jul-2018 | : | Vercors Natural Park, France | | | 27-Jun-2018 | : | Arnside, Cumbria | (6) | | 26-Jun-2018 | : | Arnside, Cumbria | (6) | | 20-Jun-2018 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (4+) | | 09-Jun-2018 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | (50+) | | 01-Jun-2018 | : | Abingdon (NE), Oxon | (7) | | 27-May-2018 | : | Abingdon (NE), Oxon | (7) | | 25-May-2018 | : | Abingdon (NE), Oxon | (6) | | 24-May-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (3) | | 14-May-2018 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (4) | | 13-May-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (50+) | | 11-May-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (50+) | | 28-Apr-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (100+) | | 25-Apr-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (50+) |
| | 02-Sep-2017 | : | Abingdon (NE), Oxon | (1) | | 27-Aug-2017 | : | Abingdon (NE), Oxon | (1) | | 20-Aug-2017 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (30+) | | 12-Aug-2017 | : | West Walton, Norfolk | (1) | | 03-Aug-2017 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (12+) | | 05-Jul-2017 | : | Abingdon (NE), Oxon | (8) | | 30-May-2017 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (4) | | 21-May-2017 | : | Garden, Kidlington, Oxon | (2) | | 06-May-2017 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (250+) | | 01-May-2017 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (3) | | 29-Apr-2017 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) |
| | 20-Aug-2016 | : | Abingdon (NE), Oxon | (1) | | 01-Aug-2016 | : | Oxford, Oxon | (2+) | | 05-Jul-2016 | : | Smardale Gill NNR, Cumbria | (3+) | | 04-Jul-2016 | : | Leighton Moss, Lancashire | (2) | | 05-Jun-2016 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 02-Jun-2016 | : | Lymington-Keyhaven NR, Hants | | | 01-Jun-2016 | : | Lymington-Keyhaven NR, Hants | | | 14-May-2016 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 13-May-2016 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (20+) | | 06-May-2016 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (12) | | 04-May-2016 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (20+) | | 30-Apr-2016 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (12+) | | 23-Apr-2016 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (30+) |
| | 06-Sep-2015 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 20-Jul-2015 | : | nr Samokov, Bulgaria | | | 01-Jun-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 10-May-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (50+) | | 09-May-2015 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (50+) | | 03-May-2015 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (25+) | | 28-Apr-2015 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (50+) |
| | 01-Aug-2014 | : | Leighton Moss, Lancashire | | | 13-Jul-2014 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | | | 10-Jul-2014 | : | Eynsham, Oxon | | | 21-Jun-2014 | : | Byal gradets, Bulgaria | | | 19-Jun-2014 | : | Koprivshtitsa, Bulgaria | | | 18-Jun-2014 | : | nr Mirkovo, Bulgaria | | | 25-May-2014 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (100+) | | 24-May-2014 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (20+) | | 22-May-2014 | : | Hinksey Lake, Oxford, Oxon | (2) | | 11-May-2014 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (100+) | | 08-May-2014 | : | Strumble Head, Pembrokeshire | | | 07-May-2014 | : | Poppit Sands, Pembrokeshire | (4+) | | 05-May-2014 | : | Tregaron, Ceredigion | (1) | | 27-Apr-2014 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (c12) |
| | 24-Jun-2013 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | | | 22-Jun-2013 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 16-Jun-2013 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | (2) | | 09-Jun-2013 | : | Cotley Hill, Wilts | (1) | | 08-Jun-2013 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (4) | | 25-May-2013 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 19-May-2013 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 16-May-2013 | : | Hinksey Lake, Oxford, Oxon | | | 07-May-2013 | : | Hinksey Lake, Oxford, Oxon | | | 01-May-2013 | : | The Camargue, France | | | 25-Apr-2013 | : | Sault, France | | | 25-Apr-2013 | : | Marais du Viguierat, France | |
| | 03-Aug-2012 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 27-Jun-2012 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | ( ) | | 25-Jun-2012 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | (14+) | | 12-May-2012 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (50+) | | 29-Apr-2012 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | | | 29-Apr-2012 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | |
| | 03-Jul-2011 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | | | 14-May-2011 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | | | 02-May-2011 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | |
| | 12-Sep-2010 | : | Nr Tarifa, Spain | | | 11-Sep-2010 | : | Playa de Los Lances, Spain | | | 25-Jun-2010 | : | The Brenne, Loire Valley, France | | | 24-Jun-2010 | : | The Brenne, Loire Valley, France | | | 09-May-2010 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 28-Apr-2010 | : | Oxford, Oxon | |
| | 30-Jun-2009 | : | Oxford, Oxon | | | 09-May-2009 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 01-May-2009 | : | Hinksey Lake, Oxford, Oxon | | | 01-May-2009 | : | Burgess Field, Oxon | |
| | 08-Aug-2008 | : | Hinksey Lake, Oxford, Oxon | | | 29-Jun-2008 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 22-Jun-2008 | : | Chimney Meadows, Oxon | | | 20-Jun-2008 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | | | 02-Jun-2008 | : | Seahouses, Northumberland | | | 18-May-2008 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 27-Apr-2008 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (12) |
| | 24-Jul-2007 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | | | 05-Jul-2007 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | | | 23-Jun-2007 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | | | 11-May-2007 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 07-May-2007 | : | Dorgali, Sardinia | | | 30-Apr-2007 | : | Cagliari, Sardinia | |
| | 11-Jun-2006 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 01-May-2006 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 29-Apr-2006 | : | Oxford, Oxon | |
| | 05-Sep-2005 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 14-Aug-2005 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | | | 03-Jul-2005 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | | | 18-May-2005 | : | Mertola, Portugal | | | 17-May-2005 | : | Ludo Marsh, Portugal | |
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