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The good news is that the swifts returned this year in similar numbers to last year, but we were saddened by the destruction of two active nests, so below are more sources of information on how we can live with these miraculous birds.

 

House Martins did well too, with several new nests recorded.  They might have benefitted from the wet weather which created plenty of mud to build their nests. There was a bit of drama when starlings occupied a nest site leading to some alarming airborne fighting, but eventually the swifts returned to nest. Phew.

 

23 active swift nests, same as last year, but only 21 survived due to summer building work

43 swift boxes – sparrows have used several

21 active house martin nests - we counted about 15 last year

We had a very popular swift walk during Swift Awareness Week (Saturday 29 June to Sunday 7 July, 2024) and it is encouraging that there is so much interest, especially from young and new residents.

One of the biggest challenges facing the swifts today is the destruction of nesting sites due to building work or demolition. Since they are used to nesting under eaves, gaps in roof tiles and cracks in walls, they are very vulnerable to refurbishment of old buildings or being blocked by repairs and scaffolding. New builds rarely leave areas where they can make their nests either. Tragically, if swifts are blocked from their nest sites they can return year on year and attempt to fly back in, which often leads them to harm. This is why it is so important that if you have swifts nesting where you live or work, any building work should happen when the birds are away in Africa, and old nest sites must be maintained or restored - https://www.swift-conservation.org/Contents.htm is a website with good advice on how to go about this. Swifts are incredibly tidy and hygienic nesters that cause no harm to the buildings they occupy - to encourage them, you can install boxes or even better nest bricks in walls.