Alpine Swifts – one of this year’s migration sensations

CHOG (Christchurch Harbour Ornithological Group) could be mistaken for some sort of Secret Agency with acronyms used for birds and their locations.

As a beginner to ‘birding’ (the peaceful art of bird watching whilst enjoying nature), it is easy to get confused by the difference between male/female and winter/ summer plumage of birds. Whilst observing wildlife, you may hear snippets of acronyms and nicknames, like ‘Barwit’ (Bar-tailed Godwit), ‘Gropper’ (Grasshopper Warbler), ‘Wipit’ (Water Pipit), ‘Rokit’ (Rock Pipit), ‘LRP’ (Little Ringed Plover) and other bewildering terms.

Birding is a way of life often mocked and misunderstood by those yet to experience the thrill of observing a magnificent bird, especially through a telescope where colour and details stand out.

One of this year’s migration sensations has been the Alpine Swifts that arrived over the old golf course at Riversmeet Meadow. A few birders were in the right place at the right time to see up to six skimming over their heads: a sight never to be forgotten.

Alpine Swift is a species normally found in Africa, southern Europe and Asia. Their breeding ground ranges from southern Europe to the Himalayas.

Like the Common Swift, they are migratory, the southern European population wintering further south in southern Africa.

They have very short legs, which are used for clinging to vertical surfaces. The Alpine Swift measures 20-22cm in length and has a wingspan of 54-60cm, with broad wings and long wingtips appearing darker with a short, forked tail and long swept-back wings that resemble a crescent.

One of the key identification aspects is the highly visible white underparts. Whilst almost double the size of Common Swifts, their flight is slower and more powerful. This year has seen an influx in Britain and Ireland which is unprecedented, as normally only two or three birds are seen a year; however, due to strong southerly winds over the Bay of Biscay, they have been blown onto our islands.

Alpine Swifts can stay in the air for more than 200 days straight, sleeping and drinking on the wing. When they roost, it is on vertical cliffs or walls. They spend most of their lives in the air catching and eating a variety of insects, but they also eat spiders. Swifts pair for life and return to the same breeding site year after year. To become a member of CHOG please visit CHOG.org. uk. The webpage is updated daily with sightings in and around Christchurch Harbour.

Benefits of membership include:

• Free attendance to outdoor walks led by experienced birders.

• Free attendance to talks, lectures and demonstrations at indoor meetings.

• Free copy of the long annual bird report, including stunning photographs.

• Exclusive access ‘CHOG Online’, which contains over 230 items of information about local and general nature.

BALLARD SCHOOL PRESENTS: THE

WIZARD OF OZ (LIVE)

Wed 28 June – Sat 1 July

This show is jam-packed full of memorable songs, including ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’, ‘Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead’, ‘Jitterbug’, ‘Follow the Yellow Brick Road’ and ‘The Merry Old Land of Oz’.

LIPSTIK ON YOUR COLLAR (LIVE)

Thu 6 July: 19:30

From the birth of Rock n Roll through to the Beat Group sounds of the British Invasion and beyond, the show is packed with over forty hits from the likes of Connie Francis, Brenda Lee, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, The Beatles, The Ronettes, Cliff Richard, Cilla Black and many more.

THE DOLLY SHOW (LIVE)

Fri 14 July: 19:30

As seen on BBC ONE and voted the UK’s no 1. Dolly Parton tribute, West End star Kelly O’Brien is undeniably one of the BEST Dolly impersonators you will ever see.

JAWS 3-D [35MM] (15)

Sat 15 July: 19:30

This summer, the third dimension is terror! Dirt In The Gate Movies once again are thrilled to re-visit this Jaws sequel from an imported 35mm 3D print.

HORRIBLE HISTORIES: BARMY BRITAIN (LIVE)

Sun 23 July: 13:30 & 16:00

Horrible Histories is back with the hit West End show, full of crazy new characters and rude new rulers from Britain’s barmy past!

FIVER STAR SWING: SWING N’ SINATRA (LIVE)

Wed 26 July: 19:30

Join Five Star Swing for an evening of the famous songs spanning Sinatra’s career from the Tommy Dorsey band to the Vegas’ ‘Rat Pack’ in a journey through the decades of this unforgettable genre, with the greatest singer of its time!

UK PINK FLOYD EXPERIENCE (LIVE)

Fri 28 July: 19:30

Celebrating over 50 Years of one of rock music’s most influential bands, UK Pink Floyd Experience recreate the sights and sounds of the legendary band in concert.

ADELE: THE JOURNEY SO FAR (LIVE)

Sun 30 July: 19:30

Handpicked by Adele herself to star in Adele At The BBC, Stacey Lee’s uncannily similar vocal timbre leaves the audiences gobsmacked.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN GHOSTS? (LIVE)

Thu 3 August: 19:30

An experiential ghost story, unlike anything you have ever experienced before. Welcome to a haunting night at the theatre. Are you feeling brave?

THE ROCKET MAN (LIVE)

Sat 5 August: 19:30

The incredible cast not only looks and sounds like John, Paul, George, and Ringo, they generate the famed excitement of The Beatles – even including the Fab Four’s unique sense of humour.

80S LIVE! (LIVE)

Thu 10 August: 19:30

The ultimate 80s night out, so come dressed to impress as we spin you around and around for a night to remember!

THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC (LIVE)

Sat 12 August: 19:30

This international smash-hit tribute show brings all of ABBA’s number-one hits to the stage in a production like no other. Now in its 20th year! With a brand-new show for 2023.

THE MAKINGS OF A MURDERER (LIVE)

Sun 13 August: 19:30

Investigating the UK’s most notorious serial killers. Hosted by the detective who brought serial killer PETER TOBIN to justice

SWING UNLIMITED: A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES (LIVE)

Sat 19 August: 14:30 & 19:30

Experience epic themes and songs from some of the greatest movies of all time. Featuring music from legendary composers such as John Williams, John Barry, Hans Zimmer, Jerry Goldsmith, and many more.

ANDRE RIEU: LOVE IS ALL AROUND (RATING TBC) Sat 26 August: 14:00 | Sun 27 August: 19:30

The King of the Waltz invites you to his allnew cinema concert “Love is All Around”, from his beautiful hometown of Maastricht!

To see our upcoming film titles, please visit our website www.theregent.co.uk or pick up a film list in-person on your next visit.

All information is correct at the time of publication. Please see our website www.theregent.co.uk

The Ink Black Heart

by Robert Galbraith, paperback £9.99 (published 22 June)

This long-awaited paperback edition of the sixth book in the Cormoran Strike series is due to be published 22 June, and we cannot wait at BH6 Books. Edie Ledwell, co-creator of popular cartoon The Ink Black Heart, is being persecuted by a mysterious online figure who goes by the pseudonym of Anomie. Edie is desperate to uncover Anomie's true identity, and as Robin and her business partner Cormoran Strike become drawn into the quest, a complex web of online aliases, business interests and family conflicts begins to emerge. Strike and Robin find themselves embroiled in a case that stretches their powers of deduction to the limits and which threatens them in new and horrifying ways. If you are new to the series, we always stock the paperback editions of the first five books in the series and thoroughly recommend them.

Beyond Measure: The Hidden History of Measurement

by James Vincent, paperback £12.99

We measure rainfall and radiation, the depths of space and the emptiness of atoms, calories and steps, happiness and pain. But how did measurement become ubiquitous in modern life? When did humanity first take up scales and rulers, and why does this practice hold authority over so many aspects of our lives? James Vincent provides a fresh and original perspective on human history as he tracks our long search for dependable truths in a chaotic universe. Full of mavericks and visionaries, adventure and the unexpected, Beyond Measure shows that measurement has not only made the world we live in, it has made us too.

The Usborne Book of the Future

by Kenneth Gatland, hardback £12.99

First published in 1979, the Usborne Book of the Future is a fondly-remembered book from a time when people dreamed of the future as a place filled with wonder and amazing new technology. After more than 40 years of science fiction focussing on dystopias and doom, it's time to remind readers young and old that, in fact, the Future is still a place that holds hope and excitement. The book is built in three sections. The first explores all kinds of robots, the jobs they will do on land, sea and in space, and where they will get power from. The second is all about cities of the future, and how people will live, what new buildings they will build, how computers will change the world, and what people will do for fun. The final section is about the future of travel, from planes, trains and cars on Earth, to Space shuttles and journeys to colonise other planets.

Why not pop into the shop to have a browse and see lots of lovely new publications for summer? Or you can contact us on 01202 418403, email sales@bh6booksandhome.co.uk or find us on social media @bh6booksandhome to place orders and discover all that we have to offer at BH6 Books and Home, 69 Southbourne Grove, BH6 3QU.