Birdwatchers elated as Alpine swifts flock to Britain and Ireland in rare numbers

Funnel of south-westerly winds help push birds towards Irish coast and UK mainland as far north as Scotland

An “unprecedented” influx of alpine swifts has been reported by birdwatchers across Britain and Ireland.

Dozens of these migrating birds, which usually fly thousands of miles from sub-Saharan west Africa to southern Europe to breed at this time of year, have been spotted around the Irish coast as well as in parts of Wales, England and even as far north as Scotland.