I can report that we have had 9 swift boxes installed around Seaford homes in 2022 including one in Bishopstone. It doesn’t sound a great deal, but quite a number of residents were interested and contacted me after the article I wrote in the summer, was printed in the Seaford Scene in June. Unfortunately, on checking, about 3 homes were unsuitable for the nest box and then when we were installing a number of boxes in September, it became clear that two homes had either access and/or exposure issues. For me, it is still a learning curve and also, at present there is only one person I can call on to erect the boxes, though hopefully this year I hope to work with other builders.
Four boxes were installed in the Spring and the remainder since the summer months. None of the earlier installed boxes had any visiting swifts this year but it is hoped that we can do more to encourage them next summer. First and foremost, we will be using the tape lure, which can be successful in bringing the swifts to check out the boxes. This will be done with the help of a known local expert who has first hand knowledge in using the lures so this is something that I am hopeful will be beneficial.
I am also in touch with about another half a dozen residents who have had boxes installed by Greenhaven, so again it is hoped to assist them in improving the success rate of nesting swifts this year!
The swifts that were already nesting in our town have remained at a reasonable number, but it can be difficult to liaise with landlords and residents to ensure that the nest holes are maintained when work is carried out and not blocked up. One such building is by the Drove Allotments and I have yet to make contact with the landlord, but I am told that there are a number of swifts nesting in the eaves of a block of flats nearby.
I have liaised with some of the Seaford churches, but the main issue here is access, (with cost implications) or again it can be that the location or design of the building is unsuitable and of course the building could be a listed building. One such building is the Fitzgerald House in the town and I was able to approach the main Trustee, Charlie Grimble on the subject of swift boxes. However, the Grade II listed status would not allow installation of nest boxes, particularly on the north facing aspect, which was the favoured side, so it was a non-starter!
I can report that Save Seaford’s Swifts have received funding from SOS, Sussex Ornithological Society, who have been very generous. They manage the funds and I input invoices to cover necessary costs. So far, this has not been particularly high but one idea is to rent a tower scaffold which is a much more temporary type of scaffolding and it could prove easier to use for those harder to reach places! I would hope if we do this, costs can be shared with whoever is receiving the box. We have also received funding from OUSE Valley Cares project, but somehow this has hit a stumbling block, as despite being told some months ago we have funding, I have still not received any details!
I am currently liaising with a handful of prospective residents who are interested in boxes to be installed in 2023 so watch this space!
In the meantime, we look forward to this year’s returning swifts and hope that they will have a safe return journey here. We know that these birds, as are all migratory birds, have a dangerous time crossing through Africa, the Sahara and across Europe! Its an incredible phenomenon. Sadly, it is becoming more difficult for many reasons and when the swifts do arrive, we hope that they will find the food and nesting sites they need, in order to thrive and breed.
The latest BTO Garden BirdWatchers magazine reports that last year it was noted that swifts, along with hirundines, arrived later than usual, only coming in to the UK about the 2nd week of May. [I myself have usually noted their arrival is the 1st week of May and their departure 1st week of August, pretty much like clockwork – usually!]. Northerly winds and cool conditions in the south are likely to be the cause. Worryingly, but again not really surprisingly, the count has been lower this year, a trend that has continued the past three years. This could be due to poor breeding success, higher mortality rates whilst migrating or possibly a change in the habits of the birds. Swifts will often travel far for food, meaning they could be spending more time away from gardens.
I am still in need of assistance in reaching out to schools and liaising with the local council and local developers. There is a lot of work to do! If you would like to get involved, if you have any contacts that you think might be useful to this work, or would like further advice, please contact me at snhs@sheilalothian.co.uk or info@seafordswifts.org.uk
There is a FB page, SaveSeafordSwifts, where there are occasional updates/information relating to these lovely birds, so please join!
