August 2026 Ramsbury Bird Notes by Paul Swan

Spotted flycatcher

This long hot, dry spell doesn't suit everybody, but the swifts seem to be very happy. They are out every evening, screaming through the sky in search of food. We have regularly seen over 20 at any one time, which must be made up of both adults and their young. Most of their nests are high up in the eaves, but one nest on the High Street is much lower, with the entrance just a small hole in the brickwork. In August they will all head off to Africa, with the adults leaving first and the youngsters following on this incredible journey with no guidance except their instinct.

The spotted flycatcher population has dropped by 90% since 1970 and is on the Red List of endangered species. So, it was a special treat to see two adults and four chicks at Seven Bridges. Another pair have bred successfully in a house porch in the village. Strangely, they often nest in porches!

There is only one local bird that chooses to lay eggs in August. The goldfinch is one of our prettiest birds and feeds the young exclusively on thistle seeds, usually one of August's bumper crops. look out for recently fledged goldfinches alongside their parents. They lack the spectacular white, black and red that makes the adults so distinctive.