Free swift nest box & installation in SE22

[DawnSE22]

I’ve added a few more roads (17/3) - 
 

Posting on behalf of my husband so please respond to his email - 

The Dulwich Society is funding a nest box project in East Dulwich to help swifts. They are a declining species, largely because they are losing places to nest when they visit in summer. 

We will be supplying and putting up 20 nest boxes in the area for free. The installation (probably in April) will be completed by https://dlongroofing.com who have kindly donated a day of their time. 

As we have a limited number of boxes, we are going to concentrate on the roads that are swift hotspots. 

Please let me know by email if you would like one installed and live on one of the following roads: 

1. The north end of Friern Road from Underhill Rd to the park
2. Bawdale Road
3. Fellbrigg Rd
4. Hansler Rd
5. Shawbury Rd
6. Silvester Rd near Barry Road
7. Crystal Palace Rd between The Actress and GP

8. Ulverscroft Rd

9. Heber Rd

10. Rodwell Rd 

11.Pellatt Rd

We will then visit your home on the weekend of the 23/24 March (am) to check that your property is suitable for a box and to agree a location. It will need to be free from trees/overhead wires, be under the eaves, at the front of your home for ease of access/installation and no higher than two stories as we will be using a ladder.

I hope there are 20 people who want to help swifts in East Dulwich, but if we are over subscribed then priority will be given to the homes with the most suitable locations.  
 

Many thanks 

Steven Robinson 
sjgrobinson@yahoo.co.uk (please include your address when you contact me)

Edited March 17, 2024 by DawnSE22
Adding extra info

[clareg361]

We live in Fellbrigg Rd and would love a swift box ! We have sent you an email . 

[Froglander]

How lovely. Hope you get lots of responses. B

[malumbu]

Good stuff.  However I made my own, hung it in an appropriate place two years ago, but no swifts to date.  I've heard of someone doing similar with an audio device for attracting swifts.  But again no luck.  Great for advice.

[Mabaker]

What a great idea. Sadly, never see swifts where I am. I've seen them around junction of where Goodrich Rd meets Lordship Lane.

[Sue]

I often see swifts over my house and garden in the Summer (Ulverscroft Road) but sadly the front of my house isn't suitable for a swift box.

I did once investigate putting one up at the back myself, but I never got round to it, and unfortunately it's not very high on my present list of priorities 🙄

I do hope someone else nearby will have one installed. Fingers crossed!

[DawnSE22]

Just to say that we’ve had a lot of interest already and 13 people (including 2 on Ulverscroft, Sue) have said that they would like boxes - only 7 left! 

[malumbu]

Dawn, back to my earlier question, how do you actually attract swifts to your nest box?  I know that they have lost habitat, this is not just in the UK, ie where they originate from and their stopping points on their route.  I see a small number above Horniman, and in the Forest Hill/Sydenham area.  I was by the River Lee last summer and it was lovely seeing them swooping low - something I've not seen in SE London

RSPB publish some good advice - I used this to build my own and I have posted the relevant section.  Not knocking your good work I hasten to add 😃

"It’s not guaranteed that Swifts will find your box, but you can boost the chances by playing taped Swift calls via loudspeaker during the breeding season (May-July).

If you do manage to attract them, remember Swifts are sensitive to disturbance and protected by law, so watch the nest box from the ground or install a camera inside before the breeding season starts."

www.rspb.org.uk/helping-nature/what-you-can-do/activities/create-a-high-home-for-swifts

 

[DawnSE22]

As you said, the quickest way to attract swifts which works really well is to play swift calls. 

This is what I did at my home. It’s best to get a player set up via a timer and play 7-12 and then last 2 hours before dark. 

Alternatively, Sparrows or other species using the box will also help to advertise it to swifts as a suitable nest space. 
 

There’s a box on Friern Rd which is being used by swifts, without call playing. 

https://www.swift-conservation.org/2014-06-21%20swiftcallsinstructions.pdf

http://actionforswifts.blogspot.com/p/attraction-call-systems-for-swifts.html?m=1

 

Edited March 16, 2024 by DawnSE22

[DawnSE22]

One box is still available for installation on the 07/04 following a cancellation. You don’t have to be in for this, as it will be at the front and I will check suitability and agree on a location with you prior to installation. 

I’ve opened the offer up to a few more roads - 

1. The north end of Friern Road from Underhill Rd to the park
2. Bawdale Road
3. Fellbrigg Rd
4. Hansler Rd
5. Shawbury Rd
6. Silvester Rd 
7. Crystal Palace Rd between The Actress and Goodrich Road 

8. Ulverscroft Rd

9. Heber Rd

10. Rodwell Rd 

11.Pellatt Rd

12. Henslowe Road

13. Hindmans Road 

14. Lacon Rd

15. Goodrich Rd from Lordship Lane to the school 

The box will need to be free from trees/overhead wires, be under the eaves, at the front of your home for ease of access/installation and no higher than two stories as we will be using a ladder.

Please email me on

sjgrobinson@yahoo.co.uk

[DawnSE22]

All boxes are now allocated. Thanks to everybody who said they wanted one. 

[ianr]

Have there been any happy outcomes yet?  I was reminded of this thread by Kate Bradbury's recent two minute Radio4 Tweet of the Day spot on swifts and swift boxes.  She too plays their calls out of her window hoping to attract them.  https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0029yp8

Coincidentally, last week I came across a planning condition attached to the permission (24/AP/3592) granted to the old Melbourne Grove GP premises, that they install "no less than four bee bricks."  They're specifically for so-called solitary bees, who seem to be regarded as equally busy and deserving.  Kate B. mentioned that Brighton now attaches a similar condition, requiring swift boxes in all new-builds.  Might Southwark be doing so too?

 

Edited April 16 by ianr

[malumbu]

I've not had any success over the last three years.  Repositioning it this year.  I heard of some twitchers homing in on a nest as they could hear a swift, only to find out that it was a recording which attempts to lure swifts in.  We only have a small number above Horniman Gardens.  I've seen them close to ground in Sydenham and Clapham 

I think half the issue is disruption in and from their wintering grounds where there are less favourable conditions than in years gone past.

[Sue]

We always see swifts over Ulverscroft Road in the Summer. It's a high spot of the year when they arrive.

We probably won't now I've said that!

  On 16/04/2025 at 19:10, malumbu said:

I've not had any success over the last three years.  Repositioning it this year.  I heard of some twitchers homing in on a nest as they could hear a swift, only to find out that it was a recording which attempts to lure swifts in.  We only have a small number above Horniman Gardens.  I've seen them close to ground in Sydenham and Clapham 

I think half the issue is disruption in and from their wintering grounds where there are less favourable conditions than in years gone past.

Expand  

 

[fishboy]

There's always a large flock(?) over the area of back gardens surrounded by Colyton / Dovedale / Marmora / Scutari, but no idea if / where there are any nesting boxes. We'd love to have one, and often have swifts zooming close by, checking out possible sites.

[MrsR]

Yes, I live Colyton/Dovedale area and lots of swifts usually.  I'd love a swift nesting box too.