Swifts

[astafjevs]

I love these birds.

Every single evening for the past few weeks we've been inundated with the little noisy things, it's great. Last night I lost count at 30 that I could see at once (not the easiest things to count, seeing as they move and swoop about so much!).

The funny thing is, although I've only really gotten into birds since last summer, I've got no recollection of them being around last year or the year before. This year they're unmissable in their numbers and you can hear them over the tv even with the curtain shut, so I can't see how I'd have been totally oblivious in past years.

We've discovered they're nesting in the wall of a house opposite, just out of view from our window (just as well, the hole is right next to a bedroom window in the house, wouldn't want to get myself a reputation for peeping...) as well as under the roof of a house on an adjacent road (and yes, I've sent my survey into the RSPB!)

Anyone else got a swift invasion this year?

[clydebirder]

Swifts are noticeable by their absence in my part of Glasgow, numbers are drastically down from previous years. Have only seen 2 birds this year, only 3 years ago at this time of year there would have been 70+ feeding over the trees at the River Kelvin, very worrying

[astafjevs]

John,

Thats not good news at all. It was seeing your post in the Scottish news bit about the declining numbers that prompted me to post mine. We're doing ok locally (our part of Bristol), and have also seen decent numbers at Ham Wall and Newport Wetlands (RSPB reserves) this year, and I wondered if others were seeing them. My dad says he's seen far fewer this year than normal (he's over the other side of Bristol), so I was just wondering if anyone else had any observations.

Cheers

Stuart

[Neil Rigby]

I read an article in the Daily Mail yesterday about the decline of Swifts.

I would like to get an Swift, House Martin and Swallow Action Plan to help Swifts at my home that others can replicate.

We have nesting House Martins next door, but what to do?

Here's a few positive points from the article:

Care should be taken to allow room for swifts in old buildings and architects should include ledges and eaves in new buildings - already a legal requirement in Amsterdam - to give them the chance to live, breed and reverse their decline.

You can also attract the birds by fitting a special swift nest box.

Swifts are not obtrusive at all building their nests right next to the entrance hole, so they don't get into your roof space and they cause no damage.'

Swallows and House Martins are also in peril. Rather than creating noise, or a mess, both species make excellent additions to a house and garden, reducing insect numbers and providing a daily aerial spectacle.

Both Swallows and House Martins need mud to build their nests and they are struggling to find enough nesting material.

A muddy puddle can be created for this purpose.

House Martin numbers have fallen by an alarming 35per cent since 1970.


Some people still knock down nests when they are being built, because of the perceived mess and noise the birds create. THIS IS ILLEGAL!



Please post you suggestions for helping Swifts, Swallows and House Martins.

[Neil Rigby]

I've had a dig around and found this page...

Installing Swift Nest Places

[clydebirder]

This is an organisation I have helped out in the past, there is some good information about Swifts and how you can help

Concern for Swifts

cheers, John

[bassist]

Was watching one today.......some of the moves it did whilst after insects were breathtaking to watch...........!