On May 19 on the territory of the Prioksko-Terrasny Reserve in the floodplain of the Oka River there was a large rookery of common swifts.

It is impossible to fly better than the swift does. For most birds, the flight remains a very hard work, which requires the full mobilization of all the resources of the body. For swifts, it is perfectly natural and it is their favourite pastime. Swifts live in the air – they catch and swallow insects, quench their thirst, relax and sleep. Their nests are high, easy to reach them. To fly up the swift needs a high perch. Sometimes the swift cannot fly up from the ground as it has too long wings and short legs.

The swift has finished the phenological season of bird arrival.

Photo by Sergey Osipov.