Last night, I saw a swift in my next-door neighbours' kitchen. Poor thing had flown in through the attic window then got panicked, & couldn't find its way out through the doors & windows they left wide open for it. They asked for my help.
It had ended up perched on a pot plant, cowering behind it in a corner. I picked up the plant & carried it outside. The sun was down, but the sky was still light. I expected the swift to fly away as soon as it was outside, but it clung to the plant, so I put a finger under it & gently lifted it. When it had to choose between transferring its grip to my finger and flying, it chose the latter: circled a couple of times, then seemed to get its bearings & flew off.
I'd never touched a swift before.
[edit]Forgot to add: we saw a sparrowhawk hunting on Sunday, very close. Mrs B expressed regret that we didn't stop to see if was successful.
