identifying swift nests in ED

[chinabull]

Hello, East Dulwich is a swift hotspot, specially round Mundania Rd. These charismatic but endangered birds migrate here from Africa to breed in nests located under eaves and in roofs. Loss of nest sites through renovations and loft conversions is hastening their decline.

If you identify a nest please log it on the RSPB swift map. https://swiftsurvey.org/Rspb/Home/ViewRecords or contact Lewisham Swifts https://www.facebook.com/groups/1700377583561148/

This information will help us to protect existing nests and work out where to put up additional nest boxes.

Swifts are aerial acrobats and make a screaming sound particular to summer. If you see screaming parties flying at roof level there may be nests nearby.

[KidKruger]

?Loss of nest sites through renovations and loft conversions is hastening their decline?

How did swifts survive before houses and lofts were invented ?

[kristymac1]

There are lots of swifts around Dovedale Road - beautiful birds and very much the sight and sound of summer for me.

Heber primary school recently installed swift nesting boxes in their playground, carefully positioned with the help of swift conservation uk.

We're watching and waiting but if the nesting boxes prove 'popular' over the next couple of years we may install bird cams in the boxes for the children to observe.

[Sue]

KidKruger Wrote:

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> ?Loss of nest sites through renovations and loft

> conversions is hastening their decline?

>

> How did swifts survive before houses and lofts

> were invented ?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_swift

Swifts may nest in former woodpecker tree burrows found in ancient forests, such as some 600 reported nesting in the Białowieża Forest of North Eastern Poland, or the small colony found in a combination of woodpecker holes and tree nestboxes on the RSPB's reserve at the Caledonian Forest in Abernethy, Scotland. While tree holes and cliffs may have comprised their historic nesting resource, the almost complete removal of ancient forest from their nesting range has resulted in adaptation to man-made sites. Swifts build their nests of air-borne material caught in flight, bonded with their saliva, in suitable buildings hollows, such as under tiles, in gaps beneath window sills, and most typically under eaves and within gables.