Blink and you miss the seasons!! I can’t believe it’s May already. I spotted my first swifts above Dawlish on Tuesday 29th with many sightings occurring earlier than that, across the county. The warm weather and favourable winds have certainly helped in bringing the swifts to our shores earlier than I’ve known for a while. My first returnee at my house arrived this morning at 5:30am from my longest serving pair of 7 years. It certainly didn’t waste any time addressing the housekeeping duties. It left the nest soon after arriving and returned with a feather and stuck it down to make it cosier!
Gratitude…
Just wanted to heap praise on the Devon Birds Council and members for their support and funding throughout the project’s lifespan. Equal praise and thanks go out to the Devon Environment Foundation for their ongoing support and organising of the Crowdfunder which reached its target recently and is still live for anyone who would like to support the project. Many thanks.
Installations…
Many churches throughout Devon have been generous and provided wonderful support for the project. Many thanks to all the individuals involved especially the PCC members, wardens, Vicars, and the Archdeacons, namely:
- Verena Breed: The Archdeacon of Barnstaple.
- Andrew Beane: The Archdeacon of Exeter.
- Douglas Dettmer: The Archdeacon of Totnes.
- Jane Bakker: The Archdeacon of Plymouth.
There has been such a positive response to the conservation of swifts within Exeter Diocese and it’s such a privilege to work within the most incredible heritage buildings in our county.
The churches…and the great people I’ve met along the way…
Apologies for the brevity of detail at each location, there are just so many to get through!!
Dalwood, St. Peter’s.
Thanks Julie, Peter, Brian, and all at St. Peter’s!
Morthoe, St. Mary Magdalene.
Thanks Roland and all at St Mary’s.
Shute. St. Michael’s
Thanks Julie and all at St. Michael’s.
Yealmpton, St. Bartholomew’s
Thanks Quentin, Kate, and all at St. Bart’s.
Newton Ferrers, Holy Cross
Thanks to David, Jon (for much help!), and all at Holy Cross.
South Brent, St. Petrocs.
Many thanks to Graham Sharland (Jon Rundle (again) and Frankie!) and all those at St. Petroc’s.
Bondleigh, St. James’
A slightly different one in terms of design as the old wooden screens dictated the location and process for Bondleigh’s installation. There are swifts nesting in the buildings adjacent to the tower and Danny has already told me that there has been interest, so fingers crossed!
Modbury, St. George’s
Another interesting one. A chance encounter in 2024 with MODWAG’s Jennie Richardson and the church’s Richard Taylor led to a discussion about a possible installation by the Devon Swift Project. A particularly tall tower is accessed by 3 separate ladders, winding through the bell frame, then onto a single gauge scaffold tower, up to the spire louvres. Jackdaws have been using the louvres to nest amongst and it was requested to allow nesting, but restrict their twiglomaniac habits of forcing nest material into the tower. The decayed mesh was replaced and two colony cabinets installed on the other two elevations. The lower level, south facing, archery splay opening was also fitted with a nestbox using a 3D printer to create rain/sun deflectors to reduce exposure.
The great members of MODWAG organised a presentation at the church, attended by Alistair Whybrow and Ed Hill (Metal Art) to fund raise and engage with the community. Thanks to all at MODWAG and St. George’s!
Dawlish Strand URC
Much closer to home this time! I can see this tower from my house and have been itching to speak to the Elders of the church regarding a potential installation. I haven’t had to navigate the process of gaining permission from a United Reform Church and I was a little unsure of how I would fare….I needn’t have had any concerns, Paul at the church was so welcoming and supportive, providing the link and paving the way through the administration process. I heard about the Men’s Shed in Dawlish a while ago and thought It might be good to get involved with them and seek their assistance with making the colony boxes. Bruce, the co-ordinator, is an equally great fellow and he took some of my ‘kit’ nestboxes and supervised their construction. I’ll be enlisting their skills again in the future, they did a better job than me! Thanks Paul, Bruce, and all at Dawlish URC and The Men’s Shed!
Kingston, St. James the Less.
The community of Kingston deserve a commendation for their support for the project. A small village in the South Hams with a huge appetite to undertake conservation efforts. Many thanks to all of the church members, the Kingston community, and the Wild About Kingston group!
Shobrooke, St. Swithun’s.
Ottery St. Mary, St. Mary’s.
Cadeleigh, St. Bartholomew’s.
I was contacted by Stuart McFadzean in 2024 who has been undertaking swift conservation work in Devon and has inspired the likes of myself to complete similar installations. Stuart told me about a church in Cadeleigh which has swifts nesting in the stonework of the church, in crevices formed by natural decay processes, so it would be a great opportunity to increase and support an existing colony. I met with Rose of St. Bart’s during the initial survey, who has supported the project through to installation. As per Stuart’s initial observations, I discovered 3 pairs of swifts nesting in crevices around the church’s structure. Fingers crossed for this year!
Westleigh, St. Peter’s.
Many thanks to Mark Ansell, Westleigh’s Swift Champion, for fundraising and supporting the project’s installation. Thanks also to the church members and village community!