The first Alpine Swift for the patch was found hawking over Shaldon and The Ness at midday, viewed distantly from Teignmouth, part a major national influx. More surprisingly a second bird was found alongside minutes later! Both remained for about 30 minutes, but one lingered over the Botanical Gardens, showing well to many happy observers.
Later in the day they joined up again over fields south of Shaldon, with one just outside the patch over north Teignmouth soon after assumed the same...until three were together over the town.
The three birds were sweeping low around St Michael's Church, nr the station, occasionally landing and seemingly looking to roost but all left just after 6pm. before two returned and settled to roost mostly hidden above the clock-face on the north side.
#AlpineSwift directly overhead for 40 minutes at Shaldon, Devon today. A very stressful twitch but well worth the effort to see it hawking and catching insects in the gloom. Many thanks to the Devon birders who waited for us and kept us updated. @DevonBirds pic.twitter.com/vRbiddgi3j
— Steph Murphy (@StephMurphy) March 20, 2023
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