How We Can Help

Nestboxes

Whether it's an individual nestbox or a colony box in a church, most locations are suitable for a nestbox. The design and location may be different for each project, please contact us to get some advise on what is suitable for you. Please see resources page for ideas. (Photos of nestboxes, swift bricks, colony boxes, etc.)

Acoustic Lures (Call Systems)

It can take a few years for swifts to repopulate an area and new nest site. A recognised approach is to use a call system which plays swift calls at particular times of the day. This can attract yearlings and sub-adults to the new nest, mimicking the vocalisation of nesting adults.
See resources for details and designs

Flowering plants and grasses for flying insects

40% of the UK land cover is grassland, but only 2% of that is semi-natural grassland which includes wildflower habitats. 25% of urban areas are grassland, of which, over half is in gardens. Wildflower management creates 25 times more biomass compared to a commonly used lawn species, perennial rye grass. Maybe we don't want to give up our whole lawn to wildflowers, but it's amazing how much difference a section of our garden can make.

New Development

Keep an eye on planning portals for your area to see what developments are being proposed and whether there is provision for swift bricks and habitat features such as wildflower meadows. See Resources for a letter template to send to your Local Authority.

Swift Fact Swifts return from sub Saharan Africa each year for 3 months to take advantage of the longer daylengths to nest and feed their chicks. Swifts feed on a wider variety than all other species in the UK due to their feeding altitude range, low level to very high (up to 2.3km!)