Reliable site for swifts around SE London/Kent? (1 Viewer)

Hi all, I am asking on here if there are any sites around SE London or the Kent area that are reliable for swifts? I was planning on going to Walthamstow to meet up with a friend but the plans are a bit unclear so I am asking around to see if there are any sites closer to me. I'm not sure if the place where the swifts are at Walthamstow are accessible without a permit as well, but if I do meet up with my friend then that won't matter.

Kind regards

Evan

Not here yet, but some will be in Peckham park and Dulwich park. If you want to see some now, go to a wetland site like Barnes, walthamstow etc

A little early but Oare Marshes (Faversham) is reliable.

Swifts are back in Peckham park (at least). Can be seen anywhere but most reliable from the SW corner looking in a SW direction. In evening may hawk low over the lake

THE_FERN said:

Swifts are back in Peckham park (at least). Can be seen anywhere but most reliable from the SW corner looking in a SW direction. In evening may hawk low over the lake

Click to expand...

Thats good to hear. Is that area safe at all? Have heard a lot of bad stuff about Peckham in general...

Evan Atkinson said:

Thats good to hear. Is that area safe at all? Have heard a lot of bad stuff about Peckham in general...

Click to expand...

I only dare venture out when armed to the teeth with binoculars and smart phone. Occasionally a fleece is a necessary safety net if my survival skills prove not to be up to snuff.

THE_FERN said:

I only dare venture out when armed to the teeth with binoculars and smart phone. Occasionally a fleece is a necessary safety net if my survival skills prove not to be up to snuff.

Click to expand...

Mandarin and firecrest there today... [31 species total]

Morning.

We had Swifts last night in Sittingbourne, Kent. The area around Albany Park and near the Co-op at Northward Drive is the best place I know. Possibly a bit early but in a few weeks time will be good.

Regards

Stuart Goodwin said:

Morning.

We had Swifts last night in Sittingbourne, Kent. The area around Albany Park and near the Co-op at Northward Drive is the best place I know. Possibly a bit early but in a few weeks time will be good.

Regards

Click to expand...

A few along the coast at Faversham too. Around Davington Church and the playing field opposite is always pretty good.

There were some swifts passing through Walthamstow Wetlands yesterday. But you probably could go anywhere with a good open view, preferably with a bit of elevation, and have a good chance of seeing them. I'm not familiar with SE London but places like Greenwich Park, Beckenham Place Park and Oxleas Woods should be well worth trying. If you need to go further afield they were definitely at Rainham the weekend before last, and I'm sure you would see them at Beddington also. But it shouldn't be necessary.

One thing to remember with this species is that they are highly mobile and can go very quickly from one area to another to mop up concentrations of the tiny insects they feed on, appearing (and disappearing) at great speed. So don't fret if they are not in evidence when you arrive - give it two or three hours and hopefully enough insects will build up over your area to attract them. Areas that produce some kind of updraft (hills, slopes etc) are great - visualize how the wind will act on the slope and where insects are likely to be pushed upwards. Lakes and other bodies of water can be very good too. Overcast and cloudy weather is said to (and in my own experience does seem to) bring them down lower where they are easier to see. They often seem to show up before rain arrives.

NB. If you do see good numbers of swifts or hirundines (martins etc), keep an eye out if they all start moving away as one - it often means a hobby is nearby and on the hunt.