New nests for endangered swifts in Horsham

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Ahead of World Swift Day on June 7, UK Power Networks linespeople teamed up with Trafalgar Neighbourhood Council, Horsham Men’s Shed and residents to fit seven swift nest boxes in hard-to-reach places on homes in the Trafalgar area.

A colony of migratory swifts returns to Trafalgar each summer to nest in the eaves of houses and rear their young, but the birds are endangered due to the decline in insects and loss of nesting sites.

Paul Maynard, an electricity linesperson at UK Power Networks, wanted to help protect the colony, along with colleagues Ben Parkes and Ritchie Mulhall. The team gave their time and skills through UK Power Networks’ Donate a Day scheme, which gives staff two paid days each year to volunteer in the local community.

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Wildlife enthusiast and Horsham resident Paul, who led a similar project last year in Warnham, said: “Trafalgar is a big area for swifts, the community loves them and is so passionate about helping them. I love to see the swifts whizzing around, it’s a sign of summer and a lovely sight.

Paul Maynard, John Preston, Morag Warrack, Ben Parkes and Ritchie Mulhall with the swift next boxes (Photo: UK Power Networks)Paul Maynard, John Preston, Morag Warrack, Ben Parkes and Ritchie Mulhall with the swift next boxes (Photo: UK Power Networks)
Paul Maynard, John Preston, Morag Warrack, Ben Parkes and Ritchie Mulhall with the swift next boxes (Photo: UK Power Networks)

“Installing the nest boxes needs specialist kit and skills, that we have and UK Power Networks lets us give our time and use our equipment to help out. I love taking part in ‘Donate a Day’ events and although I retire this year, I hope the team can keep the project going.”

Last year Trafalgar Neighbourhood Council surveyed residents to find out where swifts were nesting, so they could fit nest boxes in locations where they could make the biggest impact.

Treasurer John Preston said: “With UK Power Networks’ help we can install more swift boxes, made by local people. We are so grateful for the support.

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Swifts have started coming back to this neighbourhood for the summer and we want to encourage them. It’s perfect timing for young swifts to find the new nest boxes. Swifts are fantastic to watch and they’re not called swifts for nothing, they’re so energetic!

Swifts are summer visitors, breeding across the UK (Photo: Philip Croft, BTO)Swifts are summer visitors, breeding across the UK (Photo: Philip Croft, BTO)
Swifts are summer visitors, breeding across the UK (Photo: Philip Croft, BTO)

“The difficulty is we are losing so many insects that we are destroying the bottom of the food chain and swifts solely feed on flying insects. Also, swifts like to nest in the eaves of houses and with people putting in plastic soffits, their nesting places are disappearing.

“They are very communal birds that return to nest in the same place each year and the birds are finding their nesting sites have gone because of home improvements.”

The swifts project is one of several the local council has carried out including distribution of mini meadow seed packs to encourage pollinators and hedgehog houses.

UK Power Networks completed a similar community project in nearby Warnham last year and completed 480 volunteer days in the community last year.

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