Guided walk to spot swifts

A guided walk will take place in Pitlochry on Saturday August 5 with the objective being to spot swifts.

The birds, which have been described as “aerial acrobats,” arrive in Scotland in early May and leave the country in August.

The Tayside Biodiversity Partnership is starting a new swift conservation project in Highland Perthshire and, with this in mind, have organised a free guided walk taking place in Pitlochry.

Daniele Muir, from Perthshire Wildlife, will lead the swift guided walk, which will meet at the War Memorial in Atholl Road at 8.30pm on August 5.

Catherine Lloyd, of the Tayside Biodiversity Partnership, said: “This project will be a great opportunity for local people and visitors alike to contribute their swift sightings to a map showing where the swift nests are in and around the town.

“Nests are being lost due to over-zealous renovation and demolition.

“For 2017, this will be our last chance to locate some of the nests before the swifts head to Africa and to find out more about these very special birds. Further events will be held over the winter and to celebrate their return in the spring.”

The guided walk will last around 90 minutes and is free. Those attending are advised to bring warm clothes, sturdy shoes and to bring binoculars.

For more information email perthshirewildlife@gmail.com