Swift Half SWIFTS update - 2nd June 2011

• A little later than expected (and hoped for) but we have our second egg of the second batch laid now.
• I normally start recording the to-ings and fro-ings in the nest space at around 0500hrs each morning (until about 1100hrs) and then again between about 1700hrs in the evening and 2300hrs - as these are the times when most activity occurs - at least whilst chicks are not present in the roof.
• This morning though, our female had laid during the night - or at least before 0500hrs, so I missed the moment of lay (so to speak).
• We may get one more egg, we may just have two now (well.... two incubated and one rejected egg from the previous female's efforts still on show at the bottom left of the frame in clip number twenty-seven, which I've just uploaded onto my website).
• The clip shows the female briefly incubate both eggs, but by raising her tail, she is allowing air to circulate around the eggs a little - it was once again a pretty sultry day doon here - maybe 25c and warmer still in the roof space itself.
• If we are to get a third and final egg it may be laid tomorrow, but probably on the morning of the 4th June - watch this space grapple fans...