Moving forwards
It might take a while for new swifts to move in, but it’s a start. The process itself isn’t rocket science. But the results are!
I have decided to call our group “Hythe Scream” (Swift Conservation, Rehabilitation, Education And Monitoring)
I hope you like the ice-cream and other puns! The swifts will approve, I’m sure 🙂
I’ve set up an email address for communications – HytheScream@gmail.com and a WhatsApp group for those who want to be more involved.
Other than that, it’s up to us to see how we can progress. I hope that some of you will be happy to get involved and can offer some of the missing pieces in our swift jigsaw.
So, If you are interested in taking part, start by sending an email to declare your interest and skills, whether this is to host boxes, or if you can offer your skills, or if you might have access to any donation or grant money, or represent the town at a higher level. Or even if you know where existing nests or boxes are located. Have you been an avid bird spotter over the years and have past records of our swift count? Do you work with ladders and could help to install our boxes? Everything is helpful as we build up the local picture and assemble our available resources.
Please do this, even if you have already made contact with me beforehand. I will collate our skills and interests, and contact you with your next steps.
Please spread this message and share the website with others around town, or beyond, that could also help or are interested in finding out more for themselves. Ask them to make contact too.
I think the hardest part will be finding installers, so if you know of any builders, or tradesmen that clean windows, fix aerials, soffits, roof tiles etc who would like to get on board, then that would be great. Please try to engage these people if you know any of them in your community and please put them in touch. We need a few skilled people to make the project really fly.
My committment. I will share my knowledge with anyone that needs it. I can also come to your house and advise on swift boxes, and the best design for your situation. You can of course do everything on your own. Everything you need is available on line. Many products are good quality, but quite expensive. My personal aim is to keep things as affordable and accessible for everyone, and give you the best information possible. I will support you however I can.
Some houses won’t be suitable to host a box, but you can still get involved with monitoring, making boxes, guiding walks or just being enthusiastic around your friends and neighbours.
We have access to box plans, a list of sound systems, an app where observations can be logged. There are swift Facebook groups and lots of information, and films online. There are also one or two really nice books. There’s also an original bedtime story on the menu here which you can read to your children.
Getting some boxes up and being prepared for their return in May would be a good start. Hythe’s swifts are currently around central South Africa, having a well earned rest. However, they have no parties down there. They save those just for us! We will celebrate with a party of our own each time we get an occupied nest!
In the meantime, please send your details, skills, offers, thoughts and expressions of interest to:
HytheScream@gmail.com and I’ll be in touch with you to discuss your options further.
If you just want to keep yourself in the loop, that’s fine too. That’s why I’ve set up this page. Simply sign up to our Newsletters, and you’ll hear about our latest news.
If this introduction to our swifts has got you interested, and you would like to see some flying right now, make your way to YouTube and search for the common swift. There are plenty of films to learn more about them. I think the BBC Spring Watch also had a segment on them last year.
This site has many more pages for you to explore, which will form the main body as we move forward, but I wanted to start with a comprehensive understanding of where we are, to get you up to speed and hopefully on board.
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you and perhaps meeting you during the next few months.
Ron Marsh
