1 August β 14 October
the coastal calendar, unshifted
Every harbour, and increasingly every flat roof; the islet colonies are the real strongholds.
The one species here that has gained from us. Roof-nesting pairs in coastal towns defend the nest aggressively from May, which is when complaints peak β the chicks are on the roof and cannot yet fly.
photos, sightings and recordings, off this site
where this species is on the list
| Phase | When | Length | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| courting | 1 February β 14 March | 42 days | Song, display, fighting, scent-marking β pairs forming or reaffirming. |
| building | 15 March β 4 April | 21 days | Nest, burrow or den under construction, or being lined out. |
| on eggs | 5 April β 30 April | 26 days | Clutch laid and being incubated, or buried and left to the sun. |
| raising young | 1 May β 14 June | 45 days | Dependent young in the nest, den or burrow, being fed. |
| young have left | 15 June β 31 July | 47 days | Young out of the nest or den, but still fed and followed by the adults. |
| moulting | 1 August β 14 October | 75 days | Feathers or coat replaced. Many birds go quiet and hide while it happens. |
| going about the year | 15 October β 31 January | 109 days | Feeding, holding territory, doing nothing the calendar singles out. |