Thanks to Carlene for sending through details of this new Natural Enterprise project. We’re sure that VB readers will be more than happy to help out. Ed
The Gift to Nature scheme (managed by Natural Enterprise for the Island 2000 Trust) with the support of the Isle of Wight Biodiversity Action Partnership, is asking you to help our swifts in 2011.
Since 1994 over half of the entire Swift population in South East England has been lost. This is likely to be the result of complex and interlinking factors both here and in their wintering grounds.
We would to track down the real hotspots of swift activity, the places where these birds congregate in Island towns and villages; the places where they are most likely to stay and breed. If our swifts cannot find places to nest their numbers will surely continue to decline.
Ian Boyd, Head of Environment at Natural Enterprise said “Given this information it will be possible to conserve nest sites for the future and to create new by using special nest boxes on existing buildings and swift-friendly designs in new buildings and redevelopments.”
What do Swifts look like?
The adult is sooty brown all over with a paler chin, often though it will appear very dark, almost black. The wings are long and scythe-like, swept back and flapped very rapidly but rather stiffly with no obvious ‘elbow’ bend.
The tail is short with a narrow fork not so deeply cut as a swallow and often appearing closed up. The voice is a piercing scream, quite unmistakable.
Often mistaken for Swallows
Swifts might be mistaken for swallows and perhaps house martins but their distinctively long-winged appearance, all-dark colouring and loud call will help to confirm identification.
Swifts have taken flight to the extreme; they eat, mate and even sleep on the wing. Quite unable to perch they never touch the ground and will simply cling to walls or slip into roof-spaces where they can easily drop back out again. A young swift may spend its first couple of years continually flying!
Share your sightings
Gift to Nature would especially like to know about schools, churches, libraries, village halls, sports centres and any other public and community buildings which might be home to swifts but any and all breeding sites are important.
Of course, you may have swifts yourself in which case, get in touch or complete our short survey that you can find on our website.
