Swifts need warm weather to provide a constant supply of flying insects, so they spend only about three months in northern Europe each year. They arrive there from central Africa in early May. In Cyprus the first swifts can be seen from late January/ early February as many fly through Cyprus on their way further north. Many will stay on the island to breed and from March they have returned to their nesting places.
Swifts start their return journey in mid-July, before the nights become too cool. They can't roost overnight during the journey, like Swallows can, so they travel quickly. The young Swifts are independent as soon as they leave the nest, and set out immediately on migration.
By mid-August, most Swifts have reached Central Africa. They do not spend winter in one place but travel around according to food supplies and weather conditions. In Cyprus many of our Swifts will have left by August but some are still seen then and in early September as they pass over the island on their journey south.
