Swifts and Us

Name: Swifts and Us
Brand: Harper UK
Availability: InStock
Author: Sarah Gibson
ISBN: 9780008350659

Author: Sarah Gibson

Narrator: Janine Cooper-Marshall

Unabridged: 8 hr 56 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: William Collins

Published: 05/13/2021

Categories: Nonfiction, Nature, Animals, Environmental Conservation & Protection, Science, Natural History, Life Sciences, Zoology, Endangered Species

Synopsis

Swifts live almost entirely in the air. They eat, drink, sleep, mate and gather their nesting materials on the wing, fly thousands of miles across the world, navigating their way around storms, never lighting on tree, cliff or ground, until they return home with the summer. Sarah Gibson has written a fascinating story of discovery, exploring what is known about these mysterious birds, their ancient ancestry and how they have been regarded through history. But the swifts are in real danger: often unintentionally, we are sealing our homes against wildlife of any kind. Cracks, gaps and crevices which for thousands of years have offered nesting space in buildings, are being closed off, while new housing rarely offers entry holes for nesting birds. Loss of breeding places is considered to be a significant factor in the steep decline of these birds over the last twenty years. Thankfully, there are people in the UK and across Europe striving to ensure a future for swifts. Their actions and stories are woven into the narrative, demonstrating how change is brought about by passionate, determined individuals, whose actions show that everyone can do something to keep these superb birds screaming through our skies.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Andy on August 31, 2021

A lovely book, a gift from someone who knows how much I love these screaming, bug-munching, itinerant sky-knives. A mixture of personal reflection, natural history and case studies, ranging far afield as do the swift’s themselves. I learned a lot I didn’t know about them - and learned that we have o......more

Goodreads review by Christian on July 25, 2022

One of my favourite things, if not the favourite thing about a UK summer, are the swifts flying through the sky with their “screaming” calls. It’s always enjoyable to look up and see them. This year has been a little more difficult with the relatively late Saharan sandstorm knocking many off course......more

Goodreads review by Kate on June 04, 2023

I listened on Audio after hearing Sarah interviewed online. She inspired me to want to read her book and I was not disappointed . Its worth a good solid 4 stars. The chapters cover the lifestyle, breeding, how far they travel, how not to help them if you discover one. And also where to locate them i......more

Goodreads review by Bill on October 20, 2021

Swifts are among the most aerial of all birds. When not on the nest, they spend virtually all of their time in the air. Swifts from Europe and China migrate to Africa where they rarely touch down. Few swifts now nest in natural habitats in Europe and Britain; they have adapted overwhelmingly and very......more

Goodreads review by Evan on June 02, 2023

I saved this book for the season of swifts and I'm glad I did as I could read whilst listening to the screeching birds fly past each evening. Alas, it doesn't seem like a vintage year for them in West Sussex but there's a good number of local birds still present. I liked the authors narrative, easy-......more

Quotes

‘The moving tale of this ancient, mysterious bird’ RSPB’s ‘lf you love swifts, this is the book for you. It's full of facts not likely to be found elsewhere.’ John Miles, magazine ‘[] is an excellent introduction to our current state of knowledge of the European Swift and its interactions with people.’