It’s very early days for this project in Hythe, so before spreading the excitement and asking for your help, I needed to see what the potential was.
Unlike most small birds, swifts like to live close to each other. A colony builds up. As I’m quite a way from the colony I discovered in the town, I knew that I would have trouble getting them to see a box hiding under my roof. I had never even seen one above my garden. People are told that it might take several years for them to move in, or not at all, which is quite likely in my experience. However, they can be signposted…..
One day, I saw one, about 100m up. Barely visible, but flying in my airspace! So they do come over our houses from time to time, often solitary or widely spaced while scanning for food. At the back of Hythe, there is plenty of varied vegetation along the North Downs, and for swifts, this is their back yard hunting ground.
I set up a sound system to try to attract them down. I had read about this. The idea is to play the sounds of an existing colony. They love that, so they come down lower if it’s a nice day to investigate, see their friends and maybe find a nearby location to have a family.
To my amazement, about half a dozen were flying down into my garden to have a look. They were literally at head height at one point, screaming away and going bonkers! I was in the garden in amazement and they ignored me to the point that they were close enough at one flypast that I was worried they would collide with me.
That’s the moment when I knew that they could be encouraged to new sites.
So, what can we do about their national demise, and how can we enjoy them more in Hythe?
Here is my basic plan to expand the local population, bring them closer to your house and get more enjoyment out of their presence.
For the moment, this is all very relaxed and totally dependent upon our community interest, so we will have to see how it unfolds. I am in the process of setting up some boxes at my own house and a few neighbours to start the process.
Many towns have formal swift charity groups. There are several around the north and east of Kent, but none along this part of the coast, so if anyone lives in Sandgate, Folkestone, or anywhere else around our area, here’s your chance to get involved. The swifts will love you wherever you live! Wider progress depends on people’s interest locally, and finding one or two key people to help facilitate.
My personal aim is to help anyone to engage with swifts, via signposting, no matter what your level of interest is. I have built up a good knowledge and understanding of them and can advise you accordingly.
If some of you can help the cause further, by joining me, then that will be fantastic.
So, to my basic list of needs to get the show on the road. Or rather, in the air!
1. We need to find where they are currently nesting, and try to add a few more nest boxes in those areas to allow their colony to expand. We can monitor any progress. This can start in May and is an ongoing task. Keen bird watchers might like to take part in this task or may even already hold records.
2. We need to find new suitable places for them to nest and colonise, add a box or two, and attract them to the new sites using their own sounds. I did that this year, and that part worked very well. If your house is suitable, you can install boxes there. Bigger organisations, like churches could contribute with a larger projects. The town council building has already installed some boxes, which are ready to be occupied but might need some sound added to get them started. Builders can incorporate special boxes into new brick work or during roof alterations if we find out where new work is taking place.
Unlike most nesting birds that use a box for one year, swifts are different. They need a site that’s safe, sheltered from the sun, openly accessible and likely to be protected by the home owner for maybe a decade. We need to respect these needs during our placement.
Do you have a suitable house? What about your friends and neighbours?
3. Improve our swift awareness, and learn to enjoy watching them, via a swift walking route around the town maybe, or through photography and other activities. It’s possible to install cameras into boxes, for instance. There may be wider educational opportunities too. Could you help with these ideas?
4. We need a small team of people who are interested in getting a bit more involved, to;
a) Make boxes,
b) Climb ladders and install them onto houses,
d) To spot existing locations and monitor progress.
e) Get a representative from the local council on board to advise, talk to planning officers or larger organisations and maybe obtain a grant to cover some of the costs.
f) To consider setting up a rehabilitation unit, as there are none currently serving East Kent. This may interest someone with veterinary skills or connections, or there may already be a bird sanctuary around. Are you one of these people? Do you know who is?
I have visited a rehabilitation unit and been present at the release of rehabilitated swifts. It’s the only time you will actually see them eye to eye. Surprisingly, they are very docile in captivity. They know that they can’t fly, so they just huddle up together in a hand knitted “nest” and don’t mind being handled carefully by rehabilitators while being fed with special insect food.
5. In many town groups, or as interested individuals, the costs of buying boxes and installation are usually borne by the people themselves, It costs quite a lot of money to buy commercially made boxes, and pay builders to install them which I think creates a weak link in local take-up. I want to break this weakness down if possible by making our own boxes, and finding trade volunteers to install them. Making this project accessible and cost effective feels important to me.
So that’s the plan.
Are you able to help us with any of the above? Follow on to stage 7 to find out how to contribute.
This way to ➡️ 7. How do I get involved?
