Swifts

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/29/magazine/vesper-flights.html?smid=tw-share

During this lockdown I have very much enjoyed the company of a group of around a dozen swifts which chase insects in the area around my house and neighbouring houses. They, or their previous generations more likely given their average life expectancy, have probably been visiting since my house was built. The area used to be open fields and then the village has filled in slightly over the decades. A neighbour who has lived in the village for 80 years told me the story of the field which was slowly changed over the years.
They were here yesterday, screeching around the house in a never ending circuit taking them out towards the church and village pub, then past the house and out towards the trees which have started to attract more rooks of late.

And today, they are gone. Heading for equatorial Africa...