Still Waters Posted June 17, 2012 #1 Share Posted June 17, 2012 A Common Swift (Apus apus) has been recorded covering more than 3,100 miles in just five days during its migration from Africa back to the UK.The bird was able to maintain an average speed of around 25mph for the non-stop journey across the Sahara desert and up through Europe to its nest site at a nature reserve in Fowlmere, in Cambridgeshire. The creature, which is around six inches in length, with a wingspan of around 15 inches, is able to eat and sleep on the wing. Before setting off, it spent around ten days in Liberia, west Africa, where it fattened up for its journey by hoovering up flying termites. The bird, named A322, was tracked as part of a project run by the British Trust for Ornithology, which is investigating reasons behind the species’ decline. http://www.telegraph...-in-5-days.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lightly Posted June 18, 2012 #2 Share Posted June 18, 2012 Wow! hence the name? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chooky88 Posted June 20, 2012 #3 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Is that an African or European Swift? Also, how far can they travel if two are using a strand of creeper under the dorsal guiding feathers to carry a coconut? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pallidin Posted June 20, 2012 #4 Share Posted June 20, 2012 How I wish I had wings and could fly. Wait a minute, I drink. Nevermind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoric Posted June 20, 2012 #5 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Perhaps the birds should be sponsored by Red Bull ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csspwns Posted June 21, 2012 #6 Share Posted June 21, 2012 tats why they are called swifts lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paracelse Posted June 21, 2012 #7 Share Posted June 21, 2012 I noticed they arrived in the area I live now few days ago along with some swallows (they have a white belly that how I make the difference). I tried to take pictures of them but no way they are really to fast for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThickasaBrick Posted June 21, 2012 #8 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Awesome! I love it when nature accomplishes the remarkable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emin Posted June 23, 2012 #9 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Interesting actually i was researching swifts some days ago. I'm not sure if those are the birds that i constantly see during dusk but they do have that arced wing appearance. Well it wouldn't surprise me if they flew that much because i've observed them fly and they sure fly like crazy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now