Swifts
Swifts are nationally in decline. Anecdotally, they are not doing too well in Haddington, either. According to the RSPB one of the reasons for this decline is climate change; another is lack of breeding sites due to renovation of old properties. The swift is an iconic bird for Haddington, with swifts screaming over the High Street a well-recognised local summer treat.
These birds are already struggling with climate change, for which we are all responsible, as well as other changes beyond our control. We can try to support them here in Haddington however. It would be a great shame to lose such well-loved summer visitors for a lack of nesting sites here in town. This is why Sustainable Haddington is developing a project to support these birds. The project will involve surveying to find out swift numbers and where nesting sites are so they can be protected. We will also be looking to improve provision for the birds through providing more nest sites on suitable buildings.
Swifts do not leave debris around the nest site, and although there may be some noise during nesting, this is restricted to a short period in the summer.
If you would like to get involved with the bird survey, or even better if you have a building suitable for swift nest boxes, please do get in touch.
(Photo credit http://www.naturephoto-cz.com)
Powered by FireStats
Comments»
Fantastic - there is nothing more exhilirating than seeing the first swifts of the year zooming about, and it would be a disaster if they disappeared
what is a suitable building?
The building needs to be reasonably tall (at least three and preferable six metres from the ground) as swift chicks need to get airborne on their first flight. There should also be a clear flight path from the nest i.e without trees in the way. Ideally the building would have eaves which the boxes could go under. A north (ish) facing wall is best, and if the box is over-hanging anyone else’s land you’d need to make sure they were happy with it (this includes e.g. pavements, as the Council would be understandably worried it might fall on someone’s head). Also swifts are quite colonial, and prefer nesting near other swifts, so it might be worth having a listen and seeing if you can hear any screaming around. If you do hear anything, the RSPB wants to know, and so do we!
I know this looks like quite a long list but I’m sure there are some suitable places.
We’ve still got one box left, by the way.