Swift nest boxes for Skelton Parish, Cumbria.

Aim

Penrith Swift Group aims to help reverse the decline in swift numbers by installing swift nest boxes for these iconic summer visitors.

Swifts are disappearing from our skies. 

Swift numbers have decreased by 60% .The  Penrith Swift Group (supported by North Cumbria RSPB local group) is hoping to help swift colonies expand, by installing external nest boxes. This is in addition to raising awareness of the need to preserve natural nest sites and encouraging developers to install swift bricks in their new houses.

Swifts are such amazing birds. They eat, drink, sleep and mate on the wing. After fledging they don't land for three years, until they’re ready to build a nest. Although they’re only with us for three months, many of us wait anxiously to see if they return each year. 

Our summers just wouldn't be the same without them. As King Charles said when he was interviewed on BBC Radio 4 some time ago "I admire them and love them. For me, the world would come to an end if swallows, swifts and house martins didn't come back."

Our project

All donations will be used by the Penrith Swift Group

We plan to buy 50 flat packed swift nest boxes and invite local volunteers and youth groups to help assemble them. We will offer nest boxes to schools, community buildings and homeowners in Skelton Parish, who have suitable space to accommodate them.  Help and advice will be given about siting boxes, along with installation where needed. 

Penrith Swift Group will encourage residents to monitor nest box occupation and report back to the group, or report swift sightings and nest sites on www.swiftmapper.org.uk.

Swifts in Skelton

Swifts were seen flying over Skelton this summer but sadly they didn't return to the site where they'd been nesting for the previous six years. We're hoping very much that we can attract them back with nest boxes and recordings of swift calls.

A similar project was completed in Kirkoswald in May 2023

Swift nest boxes at Fellview School, Caldbeck

Sometimes it's not possible to install the boxes at the recommended height. In this case other cavity nesting birds are likely to make use of them.

Recommendations for external swift nest box installation.

We will be looking for sites under eaves and 4.5 - 5metres above the ground. It's preferable to avoid south facing aspects, but more importantly there should be a clear flight path away from trees and bushes.

As swifts are communal nesters, it is ideal to install boxes in pairs.

Patience is required when trying to attract swifts. It can sometimes take several years before they find the boxes. However, one box in Kirkoswald attracted swifts within three weeks of installation.

An article published in British Wildlife written by Dick Newell and John Willis reviewed occupancy rates of swift nest bricks and boxes nationwide, and concluded that there was good evidence that colonies expanded where artificial nest provision was in place. 

(Ref Newell D, Willis J. Are nest boxes for swifts a good idea? British Wildlife vol 34 number 8  585 - 591).

Thank you for helping swifts!

This project successfully funded on 19th December 2023