Soaring high above us, swifts are a real signature of summer in the UK. But their numbers have plummeted. In Hampshire the swift population has declined by more than 66% since 1994. They are on the UK’s red list of threatened species.

More about these unique birds

Last month members of TDNG heard a presentation from Catharine Gale of Hampshire Swifts, a voluntary group aiming to help reverse the decline in numbers. Catharine told us about the unique life of the Swift, spending all it’s time on the wing, only landing to lay eggs and raise young. Swifts are migratory, leaving the UK in late July or August to travel to wintering sites in central Africa, easily covering 500 miles or more in a day. The fastest recorded swift travelled at 69mph, and one tagged bird covered 5,000km in 5 days!

On their return to the UK in April or May they visit the nest sites they used in previous years. Mostly these are small cracks or holes in buildings which allow access to space under eaves, soffits and tiles. They do no damage as they rear their brood which is usually just a couple of chicks. The young fledge after 5-8 weeks, flying straight from the nest, and then not touching down again until breeding at around 4 years old.

There are several small swift colonies across Winchester, but numbers are under pressure because of a lack of breeding sites. This is often because buildings have been repaired or renovated, closing the crucial gaps that give access to nesting sites. To help Swifts find places to rear their young, Hampshire Swifts are fitting specially designed nest boxes to houses, as well as encouraging builders to install “swift bricks” which are hollowed to give nesting space in new homes.

What can you do to support?

Winchester City Council are fitting swift boxes and bricks to council houses as they are refurbished. We in Teg Down can do the same, indeed some have already installed swift boxes and the birds have taken up residence. Boxes cost £40 from Hampshire Swifts, who will also install them for you. Ideally, two or three boxes should be positioned side by side as the birds like neighbours. To
find out more and order a box go to www.hampshireswifts.co.uk or contact us at
deanlanetegdown@gmail.com.

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