What is a white-throated needletail and where is it from?

A white-throated needletail is a species of swift native to eastern Asia and Australia, known for its unique wing shape.

When was the last time a needletail was seen in England?

The last verified sighting of a white-throated needletail in England was in 1991 before the recent 2025 sighting.

Where in East Yorkshire was the rare swift spotted?

The rare white-throated needletail was observed at Tophill Low nature reserve in East Yorkshire.

Home / Environment / Rare Asian Swift Spotted in East Yorkshire

Rare Asian Swift Spotted in East Yorkshire

5 Jan

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Summary

An uncommon Asian swift was sighted at Tophill Low nature reserve.
This marks the first verified sighting in England since 1991.
The bird's distinctive long, saber-shaped wings amazed visitors.

Rare Asian Swift Spotted in East Yorkshire

A rare white-throated needletail has been observed at Tophill Low nature reserve in East Yorkshire. This sighting, first verified in late 2025, is the first confirmed encounter with this uncommon Asian swift in England since 1991.

The bird, native to eastern Asia and Australia, shares kinship with Britain's indigenous swift species. Its distinctive appearance, featuring long saber-shaped wings and a bullet-shaped body, initially puzzled reserve visitors Mandy Gregory and Ray Maddison.

Upon identification, news spread rapidly via social media, drawing approximately 50 people to the reserve within an hour to witness the special visitor. The sighting has generated significant excitement among birdwatching enthusiasts.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.