Alpine Swift/Gabhlán Alpach (Tachymarptis melba)
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
The alpine swift (Tachymarptis melba, formerly Apus melba) is a species of swift found in Africa, southern Europe and Asia. They breed in mountains from southern Europe to the Himalaya. Like common swifts, they are migratory; the southern European population winters further south in southern Africa. They have very short legs which are used for clinging to vertical surfaces. Like most swifts, they never settle voluntarily on the ground, spending most of their lives in the air living on the insects they catch in their beaks.
This is a large swift measuring 20–22 cm in length with a wingspan of 54–60 cm with broad wings and tail with a shallow fork, superficially similar to a large barn swallow or house martin although unrelated to these two species.
In the western palearctic, temperate and Mediterranean zones, it is typically in the mountains but occasionally in lowlands, while in remainder of sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia, it occurs in a larger variety of habitats ranging from sub-desert steppe to mountains.[4] It typically breeds below 1500 m but may sometimes go up to 2300 m. In the tropical parts of it range in Kenya, it has been recorded breeding above 4000 m and in the Himalayas, it has been observed foraging at 3700 m. (wikipedia)
The Alpine Swift is a rare bird in Ireland, with maybe 1-2 birds seen annually (if that). Ireland (and the UK) is currently experiencing an unprecedented influx of the species, with what must be 100s of birds around the country. The largest flock recorded was of 9 birds (the largest flock ever recorded in Ireland or Britain for that matter). I was fortunate to see a flock of 8-9 birds over a village in Dublin while on my lunch break from work. An amazing spectacle.
Alpine Swift/Gabhlán Alpach (Tachymarptis melba)
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
The alpine swift (Tachymarptis melba, formerly Apus melba) is a species of swift found in Africa, southern Europe and Asia. They breed in mountains from southern Europe to the Himalaya. Like common swifts, they are migratory; the southern European population winters further south in southern Africa. They have very short legs which are used for clinging to vertical surfaces. Like most swifts, they never settle voluntarily on the ground, spending most of their lives in the air living on the insects they catch in their beaks.
This is a large swift measuring 20–22 cm in length with a wingspan of 54–60 cm with broad wings and tail with a shallow fork, superficially similar to a large barn swallow or house martin although unrelated to these two species.
In the western palearctic, temperate and Mediterranean zones, it is typically in the mountains but occasionally in lowlands, while in remainder of sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia, it occurs in a larger variety of habitats ranging from sub-desert steppe to mountains.[4] It typically breeds below 1500 m but may sometimes go up to 2300 m. In the tropical parts of it range in Kenya, it has been recorded breeding above 4000 m and in the Himalayas, it has been observed foraging at 3700 m. (wikipedia)
The Alpine Swift is a rare bird in Ireland, with maybe 1-2 birds seen annually (if that). Ireland (and the UK) is currently experiencing an unprecedented influx of the species, with what must be 100s of birds around the country. The largest flock recorded was of 9 birds (the largest flock ever recorded in Ireland or Britain for that matter). I was fortunate to see a flock of 8-9 birds over a village in Dublin while on my lunch break from work. An amazing spectacle.