Short abstract from the book: The swift is a common breeding bird all over Denmark,
though less densely distributed in western Jutland. It is also a
very common passage migrant. The first swift was ringed in
Denmark in 1922, with the greatest numbers ringed in 1974
(263) and 1983 (215). The recovered birds were ringed from
20 May to 9 August, 74 % in July. The recovered birds are
probably from the Danish breeding population. All recoveries
are from Denmark and only seven birds were recovered more than 5 km from the ringing site. Ninety-five birds have been
recovered at the ringing site up to 18 years after ringing. None
of the swifts ringed in Denmark have been recovered between
late August and early May. Seven birds ringed abroad have
been recovered in Denmark, some probably escaping from
bad weather in their home country, e.g. two English birds
recovered in Denmark in July and August approximately two
months after ringing. Since no Danish birds have been recovered during migration and in winter, we have no information
about the migration route and winter quarters. In spring the
first ringed birds to return to Denmark were on 10 May.
Fifteen swifts ringed as chicks were recovered in a subsequent
breeding season, of these 13 were found at the ringing site.
Some of the swifts were caught several times in subsequent
years, for example one bird was ringed in 1976 and recaptured at the ringing site in 1978, 1980, 1982 and 1984.
Seventy-four of the recoveries were live recaptures. All 32
dead birds were reported without information on the cause
of death.
Read more about the species in the chapter from The Danish Bird Migration Atlashere
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