- Check traditional nesting sites are clear and not blocked by late running roof repairs and scaffolding. Swifts are very faithful to their nest sites and while we may like to upgrade our houses and repair holes in eaves and soffits, for swifts if they were good enough last year, they should be heading back there soon so keep the nest sites secure.
- Put up a swift nest box – or three! Swifts are colonial birds and like nesting near others so if you are going to the trouble of putting up a nest box, you could put up a number at the same time. Ideally, they should be at least 4.5m off the ground with a clear line for swooping in and out of the box, and northern and eastern elevations are best. If the box has a white roof, it may be possible to use other elevations without over-heating. Evidence repeatedly shows that for new boxes, playing the call of screaming swifts close to the boxes will draw in the birds to investigate. Virtually all successful new boxes have had a call system operating at least at dawn and dusk.
- Boost the insect habitats in your garden or community. With swifts solely eating insects, we urgently need to increase insect biomass which has been knocked by pesticides and over-zealous tidying up. Let the lawn grow long as tussocks are great for insects – as is dead wood and especially ponds. Even an upturned dustbin lid will give that bit of water for larvae as well as somewhere for the birds to freshen up in. And who does not welcome a few more flowers producing nectar and pollen for everything from hoverflies and butterflies to bees and so help a variety of wildlife.
The final bit of advice for the summer, is get outside and look for swifts in our towns and villages to enjoy them. Marvel at their mastery in the air, sit in awe as a party of swifts comes screaming past at roof height, and watch just how high they will go on a clear day. If its rainy and they are not to be seen, remember they can fly hundreds of kilometres to find suitable feeding conditions to be able to fledge strong chicks that, once they leave the nest, are unlikely to land on anything for the next couple of years.
The website has all the additional details of where to get or make nest boxes and call systems, please email Simon or Eddie swifts@suffolkbirdgroup.org
Save our Suffolk swifts | Suffolk Wildlife Trust
