This was always going to be an interesting installation, a tall tower, asymmetric pierced stone screens (all different designs), a narrow staircase, and a lower bell frame creating a challenging installation. The nestbox configuration took me many hours to design, with each screen mapped with LIDAR and mapped onto individual backboards to determine nest locations. The nestboxes were sectioned and carried up the stairwell in pieces, which were stacked upon a timber framework, supported from the reveals and cill. My legs are still feeling the burn, days later! Hard work, but the village has quite a few positive sightings of swifts, so I’m looking forward to seeing this installation develop. 56 nest chambers were installed. Huge thanks to Penny and Peter Heggadon, the PCC, and all others at St. John the Baptist church, Broadclyst, for their support throughout. Thanks to Alistair for help with the installation.
Nestboxes fabricated in the workshop. The individual screen apertures were drawn onto the back and the individual nest chambers were configured to permit access through the stone screen, after installation.
Nestboxes installed on the north and east elevations.
Timelapse of the installation…love the way the penetrating light sweeps around the bell chamber!