Swifts – they’re back for the Summer, carving up the skies with their spectacular aerial manoeuvres and screeching over the rooftops of the Isle of Wight.
In fact, swifts are the fastest birds in level flight, with a top speed of 69mph. They spend most of their lives in the air, only landing to breed, and they do so in holes and crevices in buildings.
Declining numbers
Unfortunately though, swifts are in trouble.
Their numbers in the UK have declined by more than 50 per cent in the last 20 years, mainly because of the loss of suitable nesting sites. Swifts are faithful to their nesting sites, so with many old buildings where swifts used to nest having been demolished or renovated, they are being left homeless.
But there is hope.
Artificial nesting boxes or bricks
There are ways we can help swifts by providing them with artificial nesting boxes or bricks that can be installed on our homes or other structures.
These boxes or bricks mimic the natural cavities that swifts prefer, and can attract them to breed in our neighbourhoods.
iWatchWildlife
Here on the Isle of Wight, local organisations and individuals are doing their best to protect them and create more nesting opportunities.
Thanks to funding from IW AONB, iWatchWildlife (a project led by the IW Natural History and Archaeological Society) in collaboration with Wight Swifts have been supporting Hampshire Swifts with encouraging residents to have boxes installed on their properties.
Increased demand for boxes
Hampshire Swifts was formed in 2016 in response to the on-going decline of this iconic bird and has seen demand for boxes increase dramatically as people have become more aware of the need to help.
The Team at Hampshire Swifts hand build each box bespoke to each property and then expertly install them, often at a great height – this job is not for the fainted hearted.
62 boxes installed this year
The first batch of ten boxes were installed on the Island in 2022 – a promising start, however the scheme rather grew over following 12 months with an overwhelming response resulting in a further 62 boxes being installed over a four-day period between April and May this Spring.
Whitmore: It’s wonderful that people are so keen to give nature a helping hand
Tina Whitmore, iWatch Wildlife project co-ordinator, says,
“We are thrilled with just how many local folk have supported the scheme here on the Island by having boxes installed. It’s wonderful that people are so keen to give nature a helping hand. We hope to continue the scheme, but in the meantime will be mapping the boxes on the RSPB Swift Mapper tool to help us to build a picture of where swift boxes and existing nest sites are, and where new ones can be created.
“We are extremely grateful for grant funding from the IW AONB which has enabled us to co-ordinate the effort on the Island, and of course to Tim Norriss and Roger Maynard and all the team over in Hampshire for their expertise; whom all carry out this work voluntarily.”
Swifts truly are incredible birds that deserve our attention and care. By providing them with safe and suitable nesting sites, we can help them thrive and enjoy their aerial acrobatics for years to come.
To keep up to date with news about the scheme for next year follow @Wight Swifts on Facebook.
News shared by Tina on behalf of iWatch Wildlife. Ed
Image: Roger Maynard installing a box © Vidya Wolton
