SWIFT GROUP
In Bradford on Avon the arrival from Africa of the Swifts, screaming round the town as they must have been doing since the building of the Saxon church, marks for many the true beginning of summer. But numbers of these amazing birds are dropping and so it was decided to set up a special group devoted to swifts as an offshoot of the biodiversity group.
Bradford's old roofs provide wonderful nesting spaces for these birds but as roofs are insulated and repaired these spaces are gradually being lost so one aim of the group has been to put up nest boxes and to encourage the installation of nest bricks in new buildings. Nest boxes have been installed in the towers of Holy Trinity and Westwood churches.
It is important to know where Swifts are nesting in the town. Swifts return to the same nesting space year after year and if it has been blocked they will probably not nest at all that year.
To join us and help us to keep on helping Swifts please email us
THINGS TO DO
- Learn how to tell Swifts from Swallows and Martins. This video is a good way to start
- If you know where Swifts are nesting, email climatechampions@gmail.com so the owners of the building can be alerted that they have nesting Swifts
- As much as nesting spaces, swifts need food, and that means insects: minimise your use of sprays in the garden, leave wild corners and remember that so-called weeds are really valuable to insects and often very pretty too!
- Download this little book about swifts – great for children and adults too
SWIFTS GROUP ARTICLES
Swifts – new display + a meeting
The Swift and House Martin group have a wonderful new display but a very busy summer ahead of stalls at various local events to highlight
A family of swifts in Bradford on Avon
The swifts left last month but click here to see footage of a family of swifts this summer in Bradford on Avon
Thursday 6 July Swift Walk
National Swift Awareness Week is from July 1 to July 9 this year and the Bradford on Avon Swift and House Martin group are helping to celebrate these amazing visitors.
November 2022 update
Please sign this petition to help Swifts. As most of our supporters will know, Swifts are declining in numbers
Swift survey 2022
The swift survey showed 53 occupied nests compared to 48 in 2021. Biodiversity Net Gain consultation exercise
Swift group news 2021
The Swift group, an offshoot of the biodiversity group of Climate Friendly BoA have been very busy this year. It was decided to survey
Swift survey 2021 – assistance needed
The Climate Friendly BoA Swift group would like to make a comprehensive survey this summer of where Swifts are nesting in Bradford on Avon
Swift Group news April 2021
The Swift group has finally met again (rule of 6, outside!) and by the time you get this newsletter it will be the moment to scan the skies
Swift videos to watch 2020
Two videos to watch: this one is Bristol based and follows a family of swifts inside a nest box
World Swift Day 2020 tribute
June 7 was World Swift Day, do watch this moving tribute to swifts from Jane Goodall